07月14日

On July 14, 1853 (lunar June 9, Kaei 6), Commodore Matthew C. Perry of the United States Navy arrived off the coast of Uraga in Edo Bay with four black ships. Perry landed at Kurihama and presented a letter from President Millard Fillmore to the Tokugawa shogunate, urging the opening of Japan to foreign trade. This event, known as the arrival of the Black Ships, set in motion diplomatic negotiations that ended Japan’s sakoku policy of isolation. The commemoration is observed locally with historical reenactments and educational events. It highlights a pivotal moment in Japanese history that ushered in the country’s modernization and global engagement.

On July 14, 1871 (lunar calendar; August 29, 1871, Gregorian), the Meiji government issued an edict abolishing the traditional han feudal domains and establishing a centralized prefectural system. This reform, known as haibanshokken, was a cornerstone of Japan’s modernization during the Meiji Restoration. It dismantled the power of local lords and created a uniform administrative structure under the central government. The change facilitated national integration, economic development, and legal reforms. Commemorations include lectures, exhibitions, and academic discussions on the significance of this transition for Japan’s modernization and governance.