日本領有臺灣之後，為瞭解殖民地狀態，實施統計調查為殖民當局統治臺灣的措施之一，1905年10月，臺灣總督府以第一次臨時臺灣戶口調查為名，在臺灣實施東亞首次的人口調查，十年之後的1915年10月又實施第二次調查，當局得以藉由統計結果確實掌握臺灣人口狀態，並確定戶口登記制度。人口調查為西方產物，為使調查得以在臺灣順利實施，統計官員從調查名稱、調查方法、調查時間，乃至調查宣傳等，設計出一套符合臺灣的實施策略，官員籍著設計調查內容理解臺灣和書寫臺灣，臺灣住民也經由接受統計調查的洗禮，了解近代化國家的統治本質。

When Japan possessed Taiwan, in order to comprehend the colonial stitution, it conducted investigations as one of the measures to intensify its ruling. In October 1905, Taiwan Governor-general's office conducted the first census III East Asia, the Temporary Taiwan Household Investigation as it was called, and continued to conduct the second investigation ten years later in October 1915. By conducting statistical investigations, the colonial authorities could obtain population status and determine the household registration system. Besides, as the census originated from the western world, in order to conduct the investigation in Taiwan successfully, the statistics officials designed the methodology of the survey by its name, methodology, timing, and even investigation propaganda, to be suitable for Taiwan's local situation. Through designing and writing reports on the surveys, official comprehend and understand Taiwn, while Taiwanese also understood the domination of the modern state by accepting the investigation process.