Why did Perry’s mission have such a big impact on Japan?
In March 1854, Matthew Perry became the first triumphant foreigner to open up Japan after a two hundred-year isolation. Perry’s mission ended Japan's isolation, and as a result Western culture along with goods, language, food, leisure, etc., entered Japan. Additionally, Perry forced China to sign the Treaty of Kanagwa, which in turn, forced the Shogun to surrender to Perry. Commodore Matthew Perry’s mission is a fundamental part to Japan’s development into a modern nation.
In 1854, seven ships led by Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States navy sailed into Shimoda and demanded Japan to create trade and diplomatic relations with the United States. Perry’s negations were successful and the Treaty of Kanagwa was signed in Shimoda. The treaty permitted ships to buy coal in Japan and requested protection for shipwrecked American seaman. Moreover, ports of Shimoda and Hakodate were opened to U.S. commerce. The results of the treaty forced Japan to abolish its ‘closed-door’ policy. The Japanese people began to accept Western invasion positively step by step. They began to open their eyes towards other countries and made commercial treaties with England, Russia and Netherlands. The Japanese government sent its population overseas to countries like England, Germany, and the United States to study and learn military science, political science, education systems and technology. In a nutshell, Perry’s mission impacted Japan because it resulted to Japan to abandon their traditional way of living, ‘sakou’. Western influence and ideas helped catalyze Japan’s progress into a modern nation. Japan benefited from Western knowledge, regarding military weaponry and machinery. The abolishment of the ‘closed-door’ policy impacted Japan positively because it strengthened Japan’s military, weaponry and tactics.
