The Japanese had a closed door policy during the Tokugawa period in 1603- 1868. On July 8, 1853, four black ships that were com-manded by Commodore Mat-thew Perry went to Japan and the Japanese were shocked about how left behind they are in technology. On March 1854, representatives of Japan and the United States negoti-ate about reopening Japan’s door and the Treaty of Kana-gawa was sign. They negoti-ated for several months and the treaty said that the doors of Japan are now open. How-ever, the treaty was not signed that easily. Perry threatened Tokugawas with war if the

First Embassy to the United States of America Japan applies the closed door policy, but they were still trading with the Dutch. The closed door policy started to affect the world from 1638- 1854. The Japanese did this because they were self- suffi-cient, and this because they were self- sufficient, and be-came isolated from doing this. When American black ships that were steamed engine powered, which was com-manded by Commodore Mathew Perry, the Japanese realized that they were not modernized. They then began to modernize and were the first embassy that came to the United States of America.

Japanese did not let him dock his ships and if they did not open their doors. The Shogunate signed the treaty because they know that they are far behind in technol-ogy and that they do not want to end up like China when they lost the Opium War, from 1840- 1842. In-stead of just trading to Dutch when they had the closed door policy, they can now trade with anyone. The Japa-nese began to modernize and learn the ways of the west. When the Japanese got to America, their English was not good and there was not that much translators. In America, they visited Hawaii, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. The Japanese learned about the American government, culture, and technology. When the Japanese came over, it was a great event for the Americans. Even though there were a lot of people that enjoy the Japanese company, some treated the Japanese poorly.

World Time

Even though the Japa-nese did not really like the treaty agreements, they got some achievements out of it. They realized that they were behind in technology and began to modernize. The American forced the Japanese to open their doors and they got advan-tages out of it. Japan did not want to open their doors be-cause they were self-sufficient. The Japanese had fun coming to American because they get to see how advance the Americans were, but they were discrimi-

nated. They realized that the treaty was for Americas needs. Now the Japanese began to modernize and open the doors for the other Xcountries.

The

three ambassadors and their staff were sent to Washington

to sign and exchange a treaty of "friendship and com-

merce" prepared in 1858, four years after the treaty signed

by Commodore Perry. By the time they arrived, the United

States was just months away from Civil War, and anti-

Western pressures were rocking the government of Japan.

O p e n D o o r P o l i c y

P a g e 2

Japan starts modernize and trade with the other countries. The Americans shows their technology for the Japanese for them to get a better relationship.

Tateishi Onojiro Noriyuki was about 17 years old when he accompanied his father, a translator for the first Japanese Embassy to the United States.

S h i p o f t h e J a p a n e s e A r r i v a l

P a g e 3

When the Japanese began modernize and decide to open the doors of Japan. They started trade with the other countries and want to learn the technology of America. The first Japanese ship that arrived America. They took the ship and across the Pacific Ocean to came arrive here at San Francisco.

American View of the First Japanese Embassy to the United States of America

As Americans, we would like to announce that we have successfully opened Japan’s doors of trade. We will now be in an open trade with them. Negotiations have been made between Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy with his “Black Ships” and the Tokugawa Shogunate and have signed the Treaty of Kanagawa. In exchange for trade, Japan will be touring the almighty U.S.! They will be visiting San Francisco, Hawaii, Wash-ington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. They have so much to see. The newly built transcontinental railroad will be sure to impress. The United States Congress will provide $50,000 for their enjoyment as this is a very important event.

The Japanese start the open door policy. Now they trade with everyone and they start modernize. They scared will get lost of the new technology. They start want to catch the other countries’ steps.

The Japanese start to modernize, so they visit many cities of America: Hawaii, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, and San Francisco.

VIEWS Organization

Japanese View of the First Japanese Embassy to the United States of America

We have no choice but to open our doors of trade. The Tokugawa Shogunate is threatened by war. Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy will attack us if we do not comply. It seems like they are forcing their way into our country. However, the Com-modore’s ships are impressive. I am shocked to see how far behind we are in technology. Maybe this opening of our trade is not as bad as it seems. It is not like our only trade with the Dutch is not enough. We need to modern-ize. An embassy to the United States of America will be made to study their attributes as to learn of more effi-cient ways of life, but in exchange of knowledge, we must trade with the Americans in their favor.