Japan took control of the area during the Pescadores Campaign (1895). During Japanese rule, the island was a She「社」 under Mōan 「望安庄」 (today's Wang-an) called Ō-shima「大嶼」. The Qimei Lighthouse (Cimei Lighthouse) was constructed in 1939, the final lighthouse built in Taiwan during Japanese rule. In 1944, the area was administered as (Ta Yu), , Hōko Prefecture.