<P> The Perry Expedition was a diplomatic expedition to Bakumatsu period Japan , involving two separate trips by warships of the United States Navy , which took place during 1853 -- 54 . The goals of this expedition included exploration , surveying , and the establishment of diplomatic relations and negotiation of trade agreements with various nations of the region ; opening contact with the government of Japan was considered a top priority of the expedition , and was one of the key reasons for its inception . The expedition was commanded by Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry , under orders from American President Millard Fillmore . Perry 's primary goal was to force an end to Japan 's 220 - year - old policy of isolation and to open Japanese ports to American trade , through the use of gunboat diplomacy if necessary . The Perry Expedition led directly to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the western `` Great Powers '' , and eventually to the collapse of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate . </P>
<P> The Perry Expedition was a diplomatic expedition to Bakumatsu period Japan , involving two separate trips by warships of the United States Navy , which took place during 1853 -- 54 . The goals of this expedition included exploration , surveying , and the establishment of diplomatic relations and negotiation of trade agreements with various nations of the region ; opening contact with the government of Japan was considered a top priority of the expedition , and was one of the key reasons for its inception . The expedition was commanded by Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry , under orders from American President Millard Fillmore . Perry 's primary goal was to force an end to Japan 's 220 - year - old policy of isolation and to open Japanese ports to American trade , through the use of gunboat diplomacy if necessary . The Perry Expedition led directly to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the western `` Great Powers '' , and eventually to the collapse of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate . </P>
when did japan open up to the west
when did japan open up to the west
1853 -- 54
1853 -- 54