Japan and US Relationship in History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Japan and US Relationship in History - Essay Example 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 other . Citizens of both countries manifested different views about each other. These citizens show ed 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. 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 horse . 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 f rom 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 inter action 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