The Perry Expedition was a U.S. naval and diplomatic expedition to Japan; involving two separate trips to and from Japan by ships of the United States Navy; which took place during 1853-54. The expedition was commanded by Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry. It resulted in the opening of Japan to American and international trade; and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the western 'Great Powers'.

Matthew Calbraith Perry (1794-1858) was a senior-ranking officer in the navy of the United States of America; who was assigned the command of a U.S.N. expedition to the "far east" in 1853. 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 Tokugawa shogunate had virtually isolated Japan from Western countries; and severely restricted contact with even near-neighbors such as China; since the early-mid 1600s; a policy known as Sakoku. It had resisted; sometimes by force; attempts by Americans and Europeans to establish business and diplomatic ties.

On July 8; 1853; Perry sailed into an officially hostile; but militarily unprepared; Japan with four warships. He led a U.S. mission which sought to begin diplomatic and trade relations; and to ensure the safety of Americans shipwrecked in Japan. Perry intimidated the Japanese by threatening to bombard their cities. He presented Japanese officials with a letter from U.S. President Millard Fillmore to the Emperor of Japan; proposing peace and friendship; at the time; the complex political relationship between the Emperor and the shogunate was not well understood by western governments. Pictures From History