Japanese Relations and the Opening of Japan.

Japan had closed its ports to foreign activity and presence back in 1639, remaining largely isolated from the world until this event.

The US needed to use the Northern Pacific route to China, and did a lot of whaling in the North Pacific. Japan was of interest to the United States for three reasons:

• Shipwrecked sailors who landed on Japan fell under that country's no foreigners rule. They were killed on sight.

• The US wanted coaling stations on Japan to make the trip to China easier.
• The US businessmen saw a potential market in Japan.

The Biddle Mission (1846)

The US first tried to open Japan by sending Commadore James Biddle. He was humiliated and rejected.

The Arrival of Matthew Perry

President Filmore assigned Commadore Matthew Perry to the Opening of Japan. Perry began by making elaborate preparations, including a letter to the Japanese Emperor (asking for ports, a commercial treaty, and protection for sailors) and spending a lot of time in the Kingdom of Okinawa learning as much as he could about Japan before finally heading for Japan itself.

When he finally showed up in Tokyo Bay, he was accompanied by four steam Ironclads, gunports open and pointed to the shore. He demanded that his letter be delivered to the Emperor. The Shogun received the letter and the government was divided over what course of action to take. Perry gave them until Spring, then left.

When he came back in the Spring, he was accompanied by eight ships. He demanded and received a treaty.

The Treaty of Kanagawa (1854)

The treaty forced on Japan by Perry was a friendship treaty, in which the Japanese opened two tiny fishing villages; Shimoda and Hakodate.

The Treaty of Amity and Commerce/The Harris Treaty (1858)

Harris came to Shimoda and rented a house there. He hired a Dutch interpreter and waited for over a year for an audience. After the British defeated China, that threat, the threat that the same thing might happen to them persuaded the Japanese to sign an agreement with the US, granting Extrateritoriality, stripping Japan of all Tariff autonomy, and opening five ports (Yokohama, Nagasaki, Kobe, Tokyo, and ?)

This unequal and unfair treaty would lead to a half century of modernization efforts unparalleled in world history, turning agrarian Japan into a modern nation state and eventually a rival to the US in the pacific.

Back.

Next.

Back.to the Main Diplomatic History Page.