This contribution will provide an historiographical assessment of the Japanese colonial period in relation to contemporary Taiwanese identity construction. The focus on the Indigenous voice offers a telling example where identity construction has become more prominent today, considering changes in the island’s geopolitical situation. The cultural affinity between Taiwan and Japan is often highlighted in Chinese-language scholarship, demonstrating how Taiwanese scholarship draws upon Japanese data collection and intellectual history. However, the relevance of the Japanese colonial period as history and legacy in 21st-century Taiwan, in maintaining the vitality of identity politics, is more complex and brings up the issue of decolonization. When researchers discuss the lack of decolonization in Taiwan, it refers to the fact that the regime change in 1945 did not alter the position of the majority of the population; instead, it involved the replacement of one group (Japanese) with another (Chinese). This experience was shared by both Han and Indigenous communities. Examining the Indigenous perspective on Japanese rule and current revitalization movements reveals distinct nuances compared to those of the Han, whether Japan is seen as an oppressor or a benevolent hegemon. To contextualize this, the first part will give an overview of historical scholarship on the Japanese colonial period, followed by a section that highlights key themes in the historical narration on the Indigenous population against the background of the changes in Taiwanese historiography (from Sino- to Taiwan-centric), concluding where the Indigenous voice in Taiwanese identity resonates with global perspectives on Japan's history as an empire.