Opening of Japan: Perry's ships and unfair treaties
For over 200 years Japan, ruled by the Tokugawa shogun, allowed very little foreign trade. Then steam and iron ships made the world smaller.
- 1853: Commodore Perry of the USA arrives with four warships (the 'black ships') and asks Japan to open.
- 1854: Japan agrees to open two ports for American ships.
- 1858: A bigger treaty opens more ports. It is unequal: foreigners accused of crimes are tried by their own officials, and Japan cannot set its own import taxes.
Effects: prices rose, many people were angry at the shogun for being weak, and leaders wanted a strong, united country. Many also saw what happened to other Asian lands and feared colonisation.
From the shogun to the Meiji government
In 1867-68 the shogun gave up power. A new government ruled in the name of the young Emperor Meiji ('enlightened rule'). The capital moved to Edo, renamed Tokyo.
A key idea was to build one country. Before this, about 260 domains each had a lord and a small army.
- 1869: lords give their land registers back to the emperor.
- 1871: the domains are ended and replaced by prefectures run from Tokyo.
- Samurai lose special rights (the right to carry swords, and their rice pay).
Rich country, strong army (fukoku kyohei)
The government believed: a country must be rich to afford a strong army, and strong to stay free. Two slogans went together: fukoku kyohei (rich country, strong army) and shokusan kogyo (grow industry, support new business).
- Railways: the first line, Tokyo to Yokohama (about 29 km), opened in 1872.
- Factories: the government built model factories, such as the Tomioka silk mill (1872), and later sold many to private firms.
- Army: in 1873 all young men, not only samurai, could be called up for military service.
- Taxes: a land tax paid in money (1873) gave steady income to the state.
- Schools: a national school system began in 1872 so that skilled workers and soldiers could read.
Civilisation and enlightenment (bunmei kaika)
Along with the government's plans, daily life changed. People called it bunmei kaika, 'civilisation and enlightenment'.
- Ideas: thinkers such as Fukuzawa Yukichi wrote that learning makes a person and a nation strong. The Iwakura Mission (1871-73) travelled to the USA and Europe to study how they worked.
- Things: telegraph, post, newspapers, brick buildings and gas lamps in cities like Yokohama and Tokyo.
- Habits: Western clothes and haircuts, eating beef, and from 1873 the solar calendar used worldwide.
Not everyone liked the speed. Some samurai were upset and a few rose in revolt, but they were defeated. Japan mixed old and new, taking what it found useful.
Try it: the time slider
Move the time bar in the 3D from left to right. For each stop, predict first (what do you expect to see?) and then check. Then draw a four-box chain at home: ships arrive โ leaders worry โ one state, railways and army โ schools and new ways. Explain each arrow with the word 'because'.
Key formulas and definitions
- 1853: Perry's four ships; 1854 and 1858 treaties (unequal)
- 1868: Meiji Restoration; 1871: domains become prefectures
- Fukoku kyohei = rich country, strong army
- Shokusan kogyo = grow industry
- Bunmei kaika = civilisation and enlightenment
- 1872: railway, first national schools, Tomioka silk mill; 1873: conscription, land tax, new calendar
Worked examples
1. Why did Japan sign treaties in 1854 and 1858 that it did not like?
Japan's ships and guns were weaker than the US warships. Refusing could have meant war, so the shogun agreed. The treaties were unequal (foreigners were tried by their own officials), and this made many Japanese angry.
2. What changed when the domains became prefectures in 1871?
Before, each domain had its own lord, army and rules. After 1871 prefectures were run by officials sent from Tokyo, taxes went to one government, and the country could plan together.
3. Name three things built or started in 1872-73 to make Japan 'rich' and 'strong'.
Railway from Tokyo to Yokohama, the Tomioka silk mill, a national school system (1872), and in 1873 an army of ordinary men and a money land tax. Any three are correct.
4. How many years passed between Perry's arrival and the end of the shogun's rule?
1868 - 1853 = 15 years.
5. Give one example of 'civilisation and enlightenment' in daily life and say why it mattered.
Example: newspapers. They spread new ideas to ordinary people, so more people could learn about the world and join in change.
6. Was the Meiji Restoration only a copy of the West? Explain.
No. Japan chose what it found useful (railways, schools, factories) and kept its own emperor, language and many customs. It adapted ideas to its own needs instead of copying everything.
Common mistakes
- Thinking Perry conquered Japan. He arrived with warships and a demand; Japan signed treaties without a war.
- Mixing up 1853 (ships arrive) and 1868 (Meiji Restoration). Remember: 15 years of worry came in between.
- Believing the emperor ruled alone. In practice a small group of young leaders ran the government in his name.
- Saying all samurai were happy. They lost swords and pay, and some fought back.