Japan NEGOTIATES WITH AMERICAN COMMODORE PERRY TO OPEN TRADE

by Angela Birts

July 2, 1853

Matthew Commodore Perry arrived in Kurihama in 1854 for the "Perry Convention" in order to discuss negotiations to open up trade between Japan and America (1). Under these negotiations it was agreed upon that Japan would provide two harbors, Shimoda, at the entrance of Edo Bay, and Hakodate, on Hokkaido. Meanwhile Americans would be permitted to pay for supplies that they received (2).

As an American expeditionist, Matthew Commodore Perry believed that trading would be beneficial to both America and Japan. Perry made a trip to Japan on behalf of the United States representative of China. Perry prepared greatly for this trip by talking with those who have traveled to Japan and arming himself with everything he could know about Japan (4). Perry had a list of demands that included: protection of American seaman and property, permission to obtain supplies (primarily coal), and permission to enter one or more of their ports for trade.

In addition to his demands Perry sent a harsh letter to the Japanese negotiator. In this letter Perry threatened to bring a war on Japan, one in which Japan would most assuredly lose if they failed to meet his demands. Once in Japan, Perry behaved in a respectful, yet persuasive and manipulative manner. His behavior was exactly what the Japanese had anticipated. "Commodore Perry was a deceitful American who wanted to conquer Japan and destroy our isolation policy," Liis Xije explained.

When interviewing Liis Xije, a former college student in Kurihama whose major is Ethnic Studies, he firmly argued, "Though Commodore Perry may appear to be persuasive and skilled, the Japanese knew exactly what to expect from that American. They were prepared and fully equipped for whatever he had up his sleeve."

However, the former feudal lord of Japan, Ii Naosoke, part of the Shogunate class under the Tokugawa Dynasty, felt that Japan was not strong enough to defend itself from foreign aggression. He argued that "while Japan is not yet strong enough to defend itself from foreign aggression, foreign contact would eventually provide Japan with the strength necessary to reimpose a policy of isolation" (3). Prior to Ii Naosoke, Abe Masahira, senior counselor since 1843, supervised the strengthening of Japan's coastal defense. He also argued that Japan was not strong enough against foreign aggression.

In July of 1853 Japan, feeling threatened by Perry's letter, sent out thousands of ships to the shores of Kurihama where Perry dwelled with four ships mounting sixty-one guns and only 967 men (5). Japan agreed that Perry would return at a later date to receive their response to his letter. Upon Perry's return, a 23-day negotiation period began. Hayashi, head of the Shoneik academy, acted as the represenitive for Japan (6). "Hayashi played a weak hand with considerable skill" (7). He knew that many Japanese favored developing relations with the west, however, he also believed that anti-treaty forces might perhaps create a controversy throughout Japan. In any case, Japan had its reasons for being worried about the effects opening trade could have on the country.

Japan as a whole, had an isolation policy, however some politicians within the country wanted to engage in external foreign affairs. Politicians believed that Japan would rise as a country and that opening up trade would indeed be beneficial. Finally in Februaury it was agreed upon that Japan would open up trade with America. In the end Japan had managed to work with America without being subjected to an unequall treaty. Now Japan is becoming more powerful and modern which demonstrates how after the negotiation, "both sides had a reason to be pleased; Perry that he had achieved his minimum objectives, and the Japanese that they had so far managed to avoid the fate that China had encountered in its subjection to the unequal treaty system" (8).

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Footnote

1 "Ii Naosuke" Encylopedia Britanicca Online. <http://www.eb.com:108/bol/topic?eu=43030&sctn=2> [Acecessed 25 January 20002], 1.

2 Jansen B. Marius, The Making Of Modern Japan (The President & Fellows of Harvard College, 2000), 278.

3 Ibid., 278.

4 Naosuke, 1.

5 Marius, 275.

6 Marius, 276.

7 Marius, 278.

8 Marius, 278-79.

Footnote For Images

1. "Commodre Perry" Zach's Homepage. http://www.grifworld.com/whopery.html [Acessed 26 January 2002], 1.

2 Perry, The Second Visit To Japan, 1.