The opening of Japan

Abstract

Since the first half of the 17th century Japan closed itself against the influence of the outside world. Only the Dutch traders could under strict restrictions enter the port of Nagasaki. This policy of so-called sakoku (isolation) was one of the cornerstones of the Tokugawa bakufu. However, since the turn of the 18th and 19th century the ships of the western powers started to gain interest in the seas around Japan. The ruling Tokugawa regime was nevertheless anxious of the internal consequences of the opening of the country and turned away any effort of western Great Powers to open Japan to foreign trade. This policy was not however backed by military ability to repulse the foreigners if they came and tried to open Japan by force. The arrival of powerful fleet of Commodore Perry in 1853 therefore compelled the bakufu to sign a first treaty opening its ports to western country. Treaties with other countries followed soon and at the end of the 50s Japan had to sign a series of unequal treaties under the pressure of the Great Powers. This was a start of a whole new period of Japanese history