戰後初期臺灣的「米荒」是二二八事件的前因，是戰後史重要課題， 原因為何，一直為學界所關心。過去盛傳是因臺灣省行政長官公署輸運 大批米糧至中國，近年研究則認為是臺灣總督府將米糧分配給日僑與日 軍所致，或論說長官公署平抑糧價之努力。但這些研究並未指出造成「米 荒」的真正癥結。本文主要根據行政院善後救濟總署臺灣分署資料、《臺 灣總督府農商局食糧部移交清冊》等第一手史料重新探討，發現前述之 說不符事實處甚多；臺灣當時之所以缺糧，實導因於天災與戰爭形成的 結構性問題。不過在戰爭末期，日本總督府透過「征購」與「配售」的 米穀管制措施，使問題不致惡化。戰後接收臺灣的長官公署面對缺糧問 題，雖無外界傳言輸糧至中國之弊端，但它既無能力也不願意延續總督 府的管制措施，更在廢除該政策後，「封存」大批屯糧，導致消費市場 米穀數量急凍，形成「米荒」。結果米價暴騰，糧食問題失控，使偏鄉 飢荒與弱勢民眾餓死，民怨累積，終致二二八事件的發生。

Taiwan experienced a period of serious rice shortage after World War II (1945-1946). The Taiwan government was very corrupt and could not deal with the rice shortage; people’s anger thus erupted and finally led to the outbreak of the 2-28 Incident in 1947. Because of the 2-28 Incident, the problem of rice shortages in the postwar period has been a very important historical issue. Many researchers have worked on the issue; however, they did not use the firsthand materials and their conclusions have led to misunderstandings or wrong explanations. For example, one study concluded that the rice shortage was caused by the Japanese government because the government distributed rice to Japanese soldiers. Conversely, another stated that the Taiwan government worked hard to solve the shortage. The above examples are just two of earlier scholars’ incorrect conclusions. Based on direct investigation of the materials of the Chinese National Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, this article carefully considers the real reasons why the rice shortage occurred in the postwar period, what measures the government took to solve the problem, and why it failed.