Japan and US Relationship in History - Essay Example

?Insert Insert Grade Insert 13th November Japan and US Relationship in History In mid 19th century, America and Japan started their interaction in economic ventures and diplomatic relations. Among the ways these countries interacted included trading. During this time, various things characterized their view of each other. They expressed these feelings and thoughts about each other by diplomatic visits and entering into treaties that were targeted to bring cohesion and reduce any fear between them. During the time of interaction, some form of confusion and misunderstandings were manifested in their way of relations. Also, their initial interactions manifested differences that the two countries noticed about each other. The expression of diplomatic relationship is, however, noted in the way leaders addressed their counterparts through letters they wrote to each other. The kind of pictures that were drawn by both countries manifested their respect and honor for each other1. Citizens of both countries manifested different views about each other. These citizens showed this through their response when a leader from the other country visited; the reception these leaders got gave a lot of information about the citizens’ perception on the interaction between the two nations. This work include my perception about the view of Japanese towards Americans, what Americans and Japanese realized about each other, the things that surprises about the mutual view of each other, and an analysis of how legal document provided a platform for interaction between Japan and America. The Japanese never thought Americans as equal to their leaders. Although they considered them important people, they still had some restrictions. For example, when Townsend Harris wanted to travel to Yedo, many Japanese were opposed to his view of going there on a horseback. Horses in Japan were a reserve of chosen few who were in royal ranks. It was only the vice-governor of Japan who supported the idea of Townsend going to Yedo by a horse2. The views of Japanese about Americans were also characterized by respect for differences. For example, the images that were made to represent Americans manifested that Japanese respected Americans3. The Japanese drew a picture that represented streets of San Francisco with manifestation of well organized building structures. Again, the Japanese perceived Americans as a group of people who distorted their faith. According to them, the people from the west (i.e. the Americans) believed in Christianity which is different from the faiths of people from the Far East countries4. Japanese felt that Americans were people worth to be given freedom to live among them. The government of Japan gave Americans a chance to buy products and hire houses in Osaka and Yedo5. Americans tagged value on Japanese. This can be seen from the reception Japanese embassy was given when he visited San Francisco. The embassy was saluted with fifteen gun shots. In addition, residents of Alcatraz were waiting to see the Japanese embassy when he visited California6. Americans represented good pictures of Japanese leaders in the early times of their interaction. The kind of services Japanese received from Americans was a clear manifestation that they valued their relationship with Japanese. For example, the reception ceremony that was conducted by Americans when Japanese embassy visited their country was a colorful one. In the course of interaction between the Americans and Japanese, they continued to discover different things about each other. Their interaction was focused to understanding some things about each other. For instance, Americans wanted to know whether Japanese respected their rights. For example, when the American consul visited Yedo; first, he wanted to see whether he would be allowed to go into that city where none of the foreign embassies had ever entered. When finally he was allowed, he noted that the Japanese were highly regarding American officials who resided in Japan7. Also, the American consul wanted to see whether the Japanese accommodated them in their culture when he requested to go to Yedo on horseback. He discovered that although it was not a big issue to their vice-governor, it was not very acceptable within the Japanese culture. When interacting with Americans, Japanese wanted to know whether they would welcome visitors with vigor. The Japanese embassy, Iwakura, discovered that Americans loved to welcome visitors and to promote trade. They were given a warm welcome and a concert was done for them. Through these, Iwakura discovered that Americans were friendly. During a concert that was held in his honor, American citizens kept on clapping until the end of the event8. The most surprising thing about the mutual relationship between Japan and United states is that even with their differences in economic activities, they still signed a treaty of commerce. For instance, while Americans were entrepreneurs, Japanese were not as trade oriented. Another surprising thing is that although at such time they had not interacted with each other for long, the treaty of amity and commerce provided that America would provide Japan with warships if need arose9. The Americans valued the freedom they were given by Japanese. For example, they were allowed to reside in the cities of Osaka and Yedo. In addition, the embassy of America to Japan was the first foreigner to visit the city of Yedo. Also, Japanese were not supposed to put wall gates and fences around houses belonging to Americans who lived in Japan10. The government of Japan made a law that restricted increasing of duties on products that were imported by Americans from Japan. Japanese cherished friendliness of the Americans. The Japanese acknowledged the democratic freedom in America. Ambassador Iwakura visited many places in California and San Francisco when he toured America. These included visits to many industries and factories and mining sites. The ambassador also talked well of the climatic conditions of San Francisco and the potential for agriculture11. However, in their initial interaction U.S and Japan had some areas of contention. For instance, there was misunderstanding as to whether the American embassy was supposed to visit Yedo as a foreigner in Japan. Second, horses were reserved to be used by royal people of Japan. A difference was noted by Americans about organization of the house. According to Americans, furniture was important equipment in a room. However, in Japan mats represented beds and chairs. Tables were not common in Japanese houses and utensils used in Japan were mostly wooden12. The legal document that was formulated by the two countries during the time of the initial interaction was an important platform for relations. The treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and Japan defined the conditions under which the two countries would interact. That treaty defined areas that any of the two countries would venture into and the conditions therein. For instance, Americans were supposed to operate from specific areas in Japan and were expected to provide free warships when Japan required them. The relationships established created a good environment for trade and business between Japan and US. Japan manifested their commitment to the treaty by waiving import duties on products by Americans while still providing rice and wheat for Americans living in Japan. The fact about perpetual peace between the two nations as specified in the treaty would improve the level of confidence of citizens in both nations.13 The interaction between US and Japan started by mutual acceptance of each other and creation of an environment that was favorable for both nations to thrive. Leaders played their part and citizens responded by following their example. Restrictions of any kind were removed and this enabled both countries to exercise freedom as they dealt with each other. However, the interaction did not involve a smooth path but involved both countries acknowledging the differences and working with them. Read More