March 31, 1854: The Convention of Kanagawa is approved.

You are there: The origin of the Convention rests with President Millard Fillmore’s commitment in 1852 to build a U.S. presence in Asia by opening up Japanese ports to facilitate coal refueling for the navy and to explore commercial opportunities.

The nation of Japan has been strictly isolated from the outside “barbarian” world since 1635 soon after the reign of the first Shogunate ruler, Tokagawa Ieyasu. This policy, administered by Samurai overseers, produces internal stability and a booming economy based on the nation’s rice, tea and silk and trade with China, Korea and the Netherlands.

Fillmore selects 58 year old Commodore William Perry, a hero of the Mexican War, to carry out the mission, using force if necessary.

Perry forms his East India Squadron and departs from Norfolk on November 24, 1852. After several stops he reaches Naha (Okinawa) on May 17, 1853 and then sails into Edo (Tokyo) Bay on July 8 over local protests.

While hoisting a white flag of peace and bringing gifts for the Emperor, Perry also points his 73 cannon toward the city and fires off blank shells, supposedly to celebrate America’s recent Independence Day. Upon landing, he presents a letter of introduction and a promise to return in 1854.

On March 8, 1854 he fulfills the promise, landing near Yokohama with ten ships and 1600 guns. Negotiations begin on what becomes the “Convention of Kanagawa”which covers agreements to:

• Open the ports of Hakodate and Shimoda;
• Limit American ships to those two ports;
• Open an American consulate at Shimoda;
• Treat shipwrecked sailors humanely;
• Allow freedom of movement for foreigners;
• Ensure favorable currency and trading terms;
• Ratify the treaty within 18 months.

On March 31, 1854 the treaty is signed at Yokohama, within the Kanagawa Prefecture. Perry represents America and Hayashi Akira endorses for the Shogun Emperor Tokugawa Iesada.

The Convention is ratified in February, 1855, and this is followed by a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, which Buchanan signs in 1860.