ABSTRACT
As we have seen, the first commercial treaties were concluded by the Shōgunate government in 1858. At a period of domestic unrest, and of a weak foreign policy, it had granted great advantages to foreign powers at the expense of the Japanese Empire. The duty which Japan laid on foreign imports was very low. It was, moreover, especially derogatory and offensive to Japan that all foreigners were subject not to the Japanese courts of justice but to special consular courts of their own. Japan in that matter was treated like an uncivilized nation, and the circumstance often led to great injustice. The treaties of 1858 were made worse for Japan in the following years, for numerous attacks were made on the foreigners, and in compensation Japan had to make further concessions to the foreign powers. It was natural that the advancement of civilization in the Japanese nation should cause a demand for the revision of the existing treaties.
