The Japanese surrender on August 15, 1945 officially ended World War II. But the people of Taiwan - under Japanese rule for the previous 50 years - suddenly became ‘Chinese’, changing from losers to victors overnight. 

With colourised archive, six individuals recount surviving the oppression of Japanese colonialism, from forced Shinto worship to wartime conscription. Reactions to Japan’s surrender varied: from shock and grief to hope for the future. Nevertheless, the chaotic transition from Japanese rule to governance by the Republic of China brought a crisis of identity for many and uncertainty for all.

For the very first time, The Day the War Ended illuminates this fascinating hidden World War II story, delving into how the forces of conflict and colonialism have shaped the complex identities of modern Taiwan.