Japanese Invasion of Taiwan: The 1874 Mudan Incident—Kidnapping the Ryukyu Kingdom to Invade Taiwan

The article records the history of Japan's invasion of Taiwan Province in 1874 using the 'Mudan Incident' as an excuse, where Ryukyuans were killed by indigenous people in Langqiao (now Manzhou Township, Pingtung). Japan first titled the King of Ryukyu to force a relationship as an excuse for invasion and sent spies for intelligence reconnaissance. Although the Japanese army suffered heavy losses due to indigenous resistance and environmental factors, they eventually forced the Qing court to pay 500,000 taels through diplomatic negotiations and acknowledge the legitimacy of Japan's military action, causing China to lose its suzerainty over Ryukyu.