February 30, 1854

Edo, Japan
An American representative, Commodore Matthew Perry has been negotiating to change the laws of the Japanese government regarding incoming ships off the coast of Japan; this according to a recent release by the government.

Since he first docked in Shimoda Harbor on July 8, 1853, Perry has been demanding that some change occurs in the way the government treats foreigners. Since then, Perry has recently made another visit earlier this month. Tsuosho Murumoto, a member of the Satsumo-Choshu alliance says, "I do not like the idea of our government making any deals with the dishonest United States. The Japanese way is better and should remained unchanged." Many others agree with Murumoto's opinion, however local rice farmer Kamamori Shingo has a different view, "After seeing how the western world has destroyed China, I want our government to get on their good side to avoid the same thing happening to us."

In the government's recent press release, they included Perry's requests. He wants the government to allow American and other foreign ships to be permitted to dock in our harbors and not become prisoners. He also is insisting upon free trade, and he is not giving the government much choice. Perry has put the government in a very bad position. Either they accept and work with greedy America, or we face being conquered.

Emperor Shogunate has been very direct with Perry and hopes this will help both Japan and the United States. "When he first arrived last year I did not like his proposal or his conditions. In our recent meeting he has made more sense and an agreement with him will benefit us as well as them."(1) Many locals, however, think that the Emperor is conceding to Perry's massive size, intimidating stature, and large bribes. Toshiro Kishiragi, a local sailor, was at Shimoda Harbor earlier this month when Perry arrived for the second time. "He came with several boats and a large gift he set up on the beach. He brought steam engine train that was probably only one-fourth size. I don't know how pure his intentions are, but I along with others, am definitely intrigued."(2) Although he denies it, Perry is not here to help Japan. A government official who was there said that Perry vows to destroy Shimoda Harbor if Japan does not accommodate the United States' requests.(3)

The future for our country right now is unclear. Depending on what Emperor Shogunate decides, our country could take a turn for one of the following two ways. The most likely possibility is that Shogunate will concede to the barbarian Perry, and if this happens then Japan and the United States will not fight and a peace accord will be made. This will mean that shipwrecked Americans will be allowed to stay in Japan and we will also be forced to trade for the western garbage that we do not even want. The second possibility, that would be better for the people of our country, is if Shogunate refuses to give into the Americans. We would not give away our goods nor would we have to welcome Americans to our country. Moreover, we would stand up for ourselves and show America we are not a push over the way they think we are.

The government is insisting that this will not hurt the country internally or externally, but only time can tell.

Images:

American Ships arriving in Japan. Black Ship Scrolls. 31 January 2002. http://www.us-Japan.org/jsnc/virtualjapan/BSS/samstour/st2.htm
Portrait of Perry. Expansion in The Pacific. 28 January 2002. http://www.smplanet.com/imperialism/letter.html

Perry talking with the Emperor. Commodore Perry's Expedition to Japan. 14 November. 1999. 30 January 2002 http://www.grifworld.com/perryhome.html

Sources:

(1) Commodore Perry's Expedition to Japan. 14 November. 1999. 30 January 2002 http://www.grifworld.com/perryhome.html

(2) Netzley, Patricia D. Modern Nations of the World: Japan. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books, 2000. 40.
Commodore Perry's Expedition to Japan.

(3) Commodore Perry's Expedition to Japan

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