County-Designated Historic Site: Qinshan Kawai Shitaro Doctoral Monument of Merit. Professor Kawai Shitaro, a Doctor of Forestry from Tokyo Imperial University, was invited by the Governor-General of Taiwan to survey Alishan in May 1902, discovering. Professor Kawai Shitaro, a Doctor of Forestry from Tokyo Imperial University, was invited by the Governor-General of Taiwan to survey Alishan in May 1902. He discovered that the forest landscape of Alishan was excellent, with good quality timber and abundant reserves. When presenting his field survey report, he strongly advocated for its development, thus gaining the attention of the Governor-General. Subsequently, Dr. Kawai's opinions played a crucial role in several important site inspections and forest management plan proposals. He was the greatest contributor to the development of Alishan forestry; therefore, a monument was erected in his memory after his death, leading to its designation as a county-designated historic site. Qinshan Kawai Shitaro, Doctor of Forestry from Tokyo Imperial University, was appointed by the Governor-General of Taiwan on February 8, Meiji 36 (1903) to oversee the development of Alishan forests and the surveying of forest railway routes. On October 3, Meiji 37 (1904), Governor-General's Civil Affairs Bureau Chief Goto Shinpei, Bureau of Productive Industries Director Shuku, Chiayi Prefecture Chief Okada, Railway Department Chief Engineer Hase Kiyoshi, and Forestry Doctor Kawai Shitaro, along with over thirty officials and sixty porters carrying provisions, formed a large expedition team. After three days, they reached Wansui Mountain in Alishan, initiating the Alishan forest development project. However, due to the Russo-Japanese War at the time, the Japanese government faced financial difficulties, and the project was delayed until Meiji 39 (1906) when it officially began.
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Chiayi County