<sod>  [[Image:PerryBustShimoda.jpg|thumb|right|Bust of Matthew Perry in Shimoda]]  	 
On [[March 31]], [[1854]], the {{Nihongo|'''Convention of Kanagawa'''|日米和親条約|Nichibei Washin Jōyaku}} or {{Nihongo|'''Kanagawa Treaty'''|神奈川条約|Kanagawa Jōyaku}} was concluded between [[Matthew Perry (naval officer)|Commodore Matthew Perry]] of the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] and the [[Empire of Japan]]. The treaty opened the Japanese ports of [[Shimoda]] and [[Hakodate]] to [[United States]] trade, guaranteed the safety of shipwrecked U.S. sailors and established a permanent consul. This would effectively end Japan's 200 year policy of seclusion ([[Sakoku]]). The treaty is widely considered to have been unfair to Japanese interests, as Perry's presence in Japan was a result of [[gunboat diplomacy]] on the part of the United States.
 			
 Perry initially refused to deal with Japanese officials and demanded to speak with the Japanese Head of State. At the time, [[Shogun]] [[Tokugawa Ieyoshi]] was the de-facto ruler of Japan; for the [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]] to interact in any way with foreigners was out of the question. In the end Perry concluded the treaty with representatives of the [[Shogun]] and not the Emperor. 	 
 	 
 <eod> <sod> [[Image:PerryBustShimoda.jpg|thumb|right|Bust of Matthew Perry in Shimoda]]  	 
On [[March 31]], [[1854]], the {{Nihongo|'''Convention of Kanagawa'''|日米和親条約|Nichibei Washin Jōyaku}} or {{Nihongo|'''Kanagawa Treaty'''|神奈川条約|Kanagawa Jōyaku}} was concluded between [[Matthew Perry (naval officer)|Commodore Matthew Perry]] of the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] and the [[Empire of Japan]]. The treaty opened the Japanese ports of [[Shimoda]] and [[Hakodate]] to [[United States]] trade, guaranteed the safety of shipwrecked U.S. sailors and established a permanent consul. This would effectively end Japan's 200 year policy of seclusion ([[Sakoku]]). The treaty is widely considered to have been unfair to Japanese interests, as Perry's presence in Japan was aided by conspicuous displays of military power.
 			
 Perry initially refused to deal with Japanese officials and demanded to speak with the Japanese Head of State. At the time, [[Shogun]] [[Tokugawa Ieyoshi]] was the de-facto ruler of Japan; for the [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]] to interact in any way with foreigners was out of the question. In the end Perry concluded the treaty with representatives of the [[Shogun]] and not the Emperor. 	 
 	 
 <eod>