Lecture 1

16th century: The arrival of the Portuguese and Spanish in Japan sparked curiosity and concern
among feudal lords. The introduction of gunpowder and Christianity to Japan led to debates
among feudal lords about the potential benefits and dangers of these new technologies and
beliefs. - Early

17th century: The establishment of a policy of seclusion was a response to concerns about the
spread of Christianity and the influence of foreign powers. The arrival of the Dutch and British
in Japan led to changes in Japan's attitude towards the West, as the Dutch were allowed to
establish a trading post on a small island in Nagasaki.

Late 18th century: Japan's seclusion policy began to crumble, as foreign powers such as the
United States and Russia began to pressure Japan to open its ports to trade and diplomatic
relations.

The seclusion policy had a significant impact on Japan's economy, as it limited trade with foreign
powers and led to the development of a domestic market for goods. - The seclusion policy also
had an impact on Japan's culture and society, as it led to the development of a unique Japanese
identity and the preservation of traditional arts and crafts. - The arrival of foreign powers in
Japan during the 19th century led to significant changes in Japan's political and social systems,
including the overthrow of the shogunate and the establishment of a modern, centralized
government. - The Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked the beginning of a period of rapid
modernization and industrialization in Japan, as the country sought to catch up with the Western
powers and establish itself as a major world power.
Lecture 2

Why seclusion policy failed?

Bafuku’s countermeasure
The Bakufu, or the Tokugawa Shogunate, took various countermeasures to address the
challenges posed by Western powers during the period of Japan's opening to the world. Some of
these measures included:
1. Issuing the Edict to Repel Foreign Vessels in 1825, which prohibited foreign ships from
entering Japanese ports and mandated the expulsion of any foreigner who entered Japan without
permission.
2. Bombarding the US merchant ship Morrison in 1837, which violated the Edict to Repel
Foreign Vessels, and was seen as a show of force to deter foreign powers from entering Japan.
3. Sending undercover agents such as Mamiya Rinzo to explore Sakhalin and some parts of
Hokkaido in 1808-09, to gather information about foreign powers and their intentions. However,
these countermeasures lacked consistency and a flexible attitude, which ultimately contributed to
the failure of the seclusion policy and the opening of Japan to the world.
Lecture 3
US-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity
The US Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity was signed in 1854 after negotiations led by Commodore Perry.
The treaty opened up Japan to trade with the US and other Western powers, and established diplomatic
relations between the two countries. The treaty also included provisions for the protection of shipwrecked
sailors, the establishment of US consulates in Japan, and the opening of two Japanese ports to US trade.
The treaty negotiations faced challenges due to the complicated translation process and questions about
the competence of the Japanese delegates and Commodore Perry's experience and knowledge. The treaty
was significant in the history of US-Japan relations and contributed to Japan's modernization and
Westernization.

What was the significance of the whaling industry in the US Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity?
The whaling industry played a role in the events leading up to the US Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity.
According to the Supplementary Timeline 3, in the 1820s, the whaling industry expanded further into the
West Pacific. This expansion likely contributed to the interest of US merchants in Japan, as noted in the
timeline entry for November 4, 1846, when the US-China Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and
Navigation was signed and US merchants saw an opportunity in Japan.

How did the Mexican-American War contribute to the US's interest in Japan?
The Mexican American War took place from 1845-1848. During this time, the US was focused on
westward expansion and the Western frontier. This led to a rising interest in the Western Pacific and Asia,
including Japan. The timeline notes that US interests in Japanese silver developed into exchange rate and
currency issues in later years. It is possible that the US's focus on westward expansion and the acquisition
of new territories during the Mexican-American War contributed to its interest in establishing trade
relations with Japan.

What were some of the challenges faced by US negotiators during the treaty negotiations?
One of the challenges faced by US negotiators during the treaty negotiations was the complicated
translation process. Neither side had an interpreter who could directly translate English to Japanese, so the
translation process involved English to Dutch or Japanese to Chinese, and then to the other language. This
complicated process may have contributed to misunderstandings or miscommunications during the
negotiations. Additionally, it raises questions about the competence of the Japanese delegates and the
experience and knowledge of Commodore Perry in handling the treaty negotiations.
Lecture 4
The PDF describes the treaties signed between Japan and the West in the mid-19th century. These
treaties, including the Treaty of Peace and Amity signed with the US in 1854, marked the beginning of
Japan's opening up to the West. The treaties granted extraterritorial rights to the West and included a
unilateral most-favored nation clause. However, they were considered unequal and led to high inflation
rates and restrictions on residence and inland travels in Japan. The treaties also led to a shift in attitudes
within Japan, as the Bakufu sought the opinions of the Daimyos before making decisions.

What was the Dutch attitude towards Japan's refusal tae open up tae the West?
According to 2, the Dutch attitude towards Japan's refusal to open up to the West is noted, but the specific
details of their attitude are not provided.

How did the Mexican-American War impact the US's interest in Japan?
According to 2, the Mexican-American War, along with Westward expansion and the Western frontier,
led to a rising interest in the Western Pacific and Asia, including Japan. This eventually led to the US
negotiating the Treaty of Peace and Amity with Japan in 1854. However, the text does not provide
specific details on how the Mexican-American War impacted the US's interest in Japan.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Peace and Amity in 1854 for Japan's relationship with the
West?
According to 2, the Treaty of Peace and Amity signed between the US and Japan in 1854 was significant
as it marked the beginning of Japan's opening up to the West. This treaty was followed by similar treaties
with other Western powers, which granted extraterritorial rights to the West and included a unilateral
most-favored nation clause. These treaties were considered unequal and led to high inflation rates and
restrictions on residence and inland travels in Japan. The text also notes that the Treaty of Peace and
Amity led to a shift in attitudes within Japan, as the Bakufu sought the opinions of the Daimyos before
making decisions.

Daimyo’s reaction
According to 3, when the Bakufu sought the opinions of the Daimyos before making a political decision
for the first time between the first and second visits of Perry in 1853-1854, it is unclear whether the
Daimyos appreciated this somewhat democratic style or simply construed it as a sign of Bakufu’s decline
in decision-making. The text does not provide further details on the Daimyos' reactions.
Lecture 5-6
What were the key factors that compelled the Bakufu to negotiate with Western powers in the
1860s?
The key factors that compelled the Bakufu to negotiate with Western powers in the 1860s were
the persistence of Western powers who strongly desired to trade with Japan and the awareness of
the overwhelming predominance of the Western powers. The Bakufu could easily guess that a
flat refusal would endanger the security of Japan, and the last thing they wanted was to become a
colony of the "Barbarians." While the number of Japanese scholars who supported the opening of
Japan was limited, the opinions of the Japanese public did not have much significance in the
decision-making in the 1850s.

What role did Japanese scholars and the public play in the decision-making process of the
Bakufu during the negotiation period?
the number of Japanese scholars who supported the opening of Japan was limited, and the
opinions of the Japanese public did not have much significance in the decision-making in the
1850s. Therefore, it appears that Japanese scholars and the public did not play a significant role
in the decision-making process of the Bakufu during the negotiation period. The Bakufu was
primarily concerned with maintaining Japan's security and sovereignty while also dealing with
the growing pressure from Western powers to open up Japan to trade and diplomatic relations.

The PDF discusses the opening of Japan to the West in the mid-19th century, which marked a
significant turning point in Japan's history. The Treaty of Peace and Amity, signed between
Japan and the United States in 1854, was a key event that led to the end of Japan's isolationist
policy and the beginning of its modernization process. The Bakufu, Japan's feudal government,
was primarily concerned with maintaining Japan's security and sovereignty while also dealing
with the growing pressure from Western powers to open up Japan to trade and diplomatic
relations. The number of Japanese scholars who supported the opening of Japan was limited, and
the opinions of the Japanese public did not have much significance in the decision-making in the
1850s. The awareness of the overwhelming predominance of the Western powers was likely the
most influential factor that compelled the Bakufu to negotiate. Shimonoseki Strait was important
for Japan, both from the points of view of trade and strategy.
Lecture 7
The Iwakura Mission was a Japanese diplomatic mission that took place from 1871 to 1873. Its
main objectives were to study and make observations on various aspects of Western societies,
including social, economic, and political conditions, in order to make judgments on what areas
would be of value to adopt in Japan. The mission was composed of around 50 members,
including government officials, scholars, and interpreters. They visited the United States and
several European countries, where they studied various topics such as mass production, trade,
military and naval technology, infrastructure, constitutions, and education. The mission had a
significant impact on Japan's modernization efforts, as it helped to introduce new ideas and
technologies that would later contribute to Japan's rapid industrialization and modernization in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

there were two notable changes made to the initial plan for the Iwakura Mission. The first change
was in the size of the mission, which was reduced from 20 to 12 members due to financial
constraints. The second change was in the itinerary, which was expanded to include more
countries and regions, such as India and Southeast Asia, in addition to the United States and
Europe.

As mentioned in the summary, the Iwakura Mission contributed to Japan's modernization efforts
in several ways. The mission members studied various aspects of Western societies, including
social, economic, and political conditions, and brought back new ideas and technologies that
would later contribute to Japan's rapid industrialization and modernization in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries. For example, they studied mass production, trade, military and naval
technology, infrastructure, constitutions, and education. The mission also helped to establish
diplomatic relations with Western countries and raise Japan's international profile. Overall, the
Iwakura Mission played a significant role in Japan's transformation from a feudal society to a
modern industrialized nation.