Formosa Railway in occupation by Japan (1895) was under the control of military forces and the railway construction plan was based on militarism first of all. From this point of view, Formosa Railway in early stage of Japanese occupation can be said militaristic one.
When the Railway Bureau of the Government-General of Formosa managed Formosa Railway, the militaristic aim of railway was made a large revision. Thus constructed Formosa Railway became not only militaristic line but also industrial one greatly.
In other words, goods transport was most important in Formosa Railway. Goods transport by train putting Formosa economy into a group of Japanese Capitalism, Formosa colonization was completed. On this stage, Taiwan Seito & Co., Ltd. being in a strong position over many companys of sugar industry and Mitsui Bussan, a trading corporation, established the transport route of raw materials and goods. These companys in Formosa under Japanese occupation made the Government-General of Formosa construct the railway and the seaports throughout the whole. After the construction of them, they linked their private lines to Formosa Railway and the seaports, shortened the transport time, increased the safety of transport and saved the transport-cost. As a result of it they got much profit.
