Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Kanagawa treaty

日米和親条約神奈川条約
alternative words: Treaty of Kanagawa, Yokohama treaty, Treaty of Yokohama, Nichibei washin joyaku
keywords: treaty
related topics: Commodore Perry , Edo shogunate , Sakoku , Tokugawa Yoshinobu
related web sites: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/tokyo/tanken/nihon.rekisi.kaikoku.nitibeiwasin.htm , http://www.hikyaku.com/gallery/english/yokoham.htm
explanation: Treaty signed between US Commodore Perry and Roju Abe Masahiro of Edo shogunate in March 1854 at Kanagawa near Tokyo. It forced Japan to give up 200 year old national seclusion policy (Sakoku). The main provisions are the opening of 2 harbors, Hakodate and Shimoda, for American ships and an establishment of US consulate in the latter town. Kanagawa being now completely absorbed by Yokoham City, you can call it "Treaty of Yokohama".