Japanese who lived in Taiwan during a 50-year period of colonial rule ultimately weren't given a choice after the end of World War II: They were forced to repatriate to a country many hadn't stepped foot in for decades, if ever.

Altogether, over 300,000 returned to Japan in the postwar years and the estimated 80,000 who were born in Taiwan during the occupation became known as wansheng (Taiwan-born).

Their story began in 1909, when the Japanese government started relocating large numbers of its citizens to Taiwan under a systematic migration policy.