Japan closed the country in Edo era.
Yes. Japan cut off exchanges with foreign countries, excepting China, Korea, and Dutch. This chain was broken by America in 1858.
After Industrial revolution, Europe countries advanced into Asia for markets. They wanted to sell their products. At the same time, they did whale fishing over the world to gather whale oil. In this time, whale oil was the most important resource. The oil was used as machine oil and lamp oil. So they wanted to build the base in Asia countries.
America was late in this trend than other countries. Almost markets was copied by UK and France. So America aimed Japan because here was frontier.
Have you ever eaten Whale, taisuke ?
Yes ^^ I ate it in Nagasaki. It was delicious !!
In 1853, Perry visited Uraga-Kanagawa Japan. He got on frigate “Sasuquehanna” and leaded other 3 ships. It was first time Japanese to see steamship. They called the ships “Kurofune”, it means black ship.
This time he passed the paper that written by American president to Japan. The order were
・ Support American whale fishing ships if they want water and firewood.
・If American ship wrecked, please help.
・Open some Japanese ports.
・Start trading America and Japan.
Did Japan have choices ?
No……There were too much difference in power…..
In 1854, Perry visited again to ask for reply. The flag ship was Powhatan. Japan agreed American suggests excepting trading. As the result, Japan open Shimoda port and Hakodate port. The negotiation is called “Convention of Kanagawa”. It means end of closed country.
After the agreement, Perry went to Shimoda to research there. And continued negotiation.
After that, America built consulate in Shimoda. In 1858, Japan agreed Japan-US treaty of Amity and commerce. The negotiation was “Start trading”. But the contents were unequal. Japan has not tariff autonomy and recognized extraterritoriality. Other countries followed this movement.
Finally, Japanese economy was confused by this negotiations. And Edo government （Edo Bakufu） lost its authority. Japan moved civil war and toward modernization.
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