Japan's Reception of the Law of Nations

Abstract

Japan's renunciation of her traditional isolation, opening her ports to the European and American nations and making herself a member of the Family of Nations, is regarded as the result of the expedition commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry. The present year (1953) being the centenary of the Commodore's visit to Uraga, gala celebrations were held in this country in commemoration of the event. In July, 1853, Perry, with his four ships-of-war, Ieft Napha and arrived at Uraga, where he demanded the opening of the country to foreign intercourse. The letter of President Millard Fillirnore addressed to the Emperor of Japan, which document the Commodore carried with him ("Public letter of Millard Fillimore. President of the United States of America, to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan"), was delivered July 14 (Thursday) on the shore of Uraga to Toda lzumo-no-Kami and Ito lwami-no-Kami, who represented the Japanese Tycoon. In his letter dated November 13, 1852, President Fillimore stated the aims of the expedition in the following