1931至1945年是日本殖民統治臺灣的最後十五年，也是日本的「十五年戰爭」時期。本文討論殖民政府在這段期間如何利用電影作為教化、啟發工具，配合其宣傳「同化」、「皇民化」、「國民精神總動員」、「滅私奉公」、「忠君報國」等各階段的統治政策與口號。在此期間，殖民政府的政策隨著不同總督的更迭與日本國際關係的變化而持續變動著。但無論政策如何變動，電影始終被殖民政府當成是可以配合施政方針去影響民眾（主要是臺灣島民、華南華人與南洋的華僑）最重要的一種媒體，特別是在培養本島人的日本國民精神與體認日本國家意識方面。臺灣各州廳在1930年間紛紛成立的電影相關機構，以及這些相關機構於1941年被收編整併成的「臺灣電影協會」，即被賦予實現「皇民化」、讓臺灣島民能「涵養皇國精神、喚起善良民風」的功能。臺灣電影協會在日本統治末期也兼具推廣總督府「南進政策」的任務，負責向華南及南洋各國宣揚日本統治臺灣近五十年的「成功經驗」。

The last fifteen years of the Japanese colonial rule over Taiwan between 1931 and 1945 is often referred to as the “Fifteen Years War.” This article discusses how the Japanese colonial government utilized motion pictures as a tool for edification and enlightenment in various stages during this period. They propagated policies and political slogans such as “Assimilation,” “Imperialization,” “General Mobilization of the National Spirit,” “Selfless Devotion,” and “Patriotic and Loyal to the Emperor.” Notwithstanding the fact that changes in policies and international relations following the appointment of each new governor-general, such use of motion pictures was continued by the colonial government to influence the population, including local Taiwanese, Chinese in South China, and Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. The colonial government intended to instill the Japanese national spirit and national consciousness into the minds of the Taiwanese people. To achieve such a goal, in or around 1930, “film league organizations” or “film associations” were created by each local government in Taiwan. These organizations, and the“Taiwan Film Association” created out of these organizations in 1941, would later be charged with the responsibilities of “fostering the national spirit and evoking good folk customs” during the imperialization movement. Taiwan Film Association was also responsible for promoting the “successful”experience of the colonial rule in Taiwan by Japan to people living in Southern China and Southeast Asia.