ABSTRACT
THE IWAKURA MISSION had several objectives but, in view of the fact that its official aim was to enter into preliminary talks about revision of the unequal treaties, it was obvious that Belgium should be included in the itinerary. It had been the ninth Western country to conclude a Friendship and Commerce Treaty with the Bakufu, which had been signed on 1 August 1866. Putting aside the diplomatic rationale, we have to ask ourselves whether there might have been any other particular, and more specific, reason why Belgium was worth visiting.
