Historical Dictionary of United States-Japan ... - Bakumatsu Films

SHIMONOSEKI BOMBARDMENT • 229
was determined to take part in cooperating with the free world, led by
the United States, a decision that became the core of Japan’s foreign
policy for helping to preserve international peace. Shigemitsu and
Dulles agreed that it would be necessary for the United States and
Japan to foster closer cooperation and consultation with each other on
a range of issues that were of common interest to the governments of
both countries.
In regard to Japan’s national security, Shigemitsu and Dulles addressed
certain basic issues. One issue was an argument by
Shigemitsu that while Japan had managed to acquire substantial defensive
capabilities since the end of World War II, any increase in
its capabilities would have to be done incrementally because of domestic
political and budget constraints. Shigemitsu outlined to
Dulles plans by Japanese defense authorities for increasing Japan’s
defensive military posture. The two officials agreed to examine
these plans together, and they also jointly voiced the opinion that
the U.S.–Japan security treaty existing at that time should be replaced
by a treaty with enhanced bilateral features. Shigemitsu and
Dulles also agreed in principle on two other points: the U.S. and
Japanese governments should explore a gradual withdrawal of
American ground forces from Japan as the latter increased its defense
capabilities; and the desirability of a gradual decrease in
Japan’s financial assistance to U.S. forces stationed in Japan over
the next several years.
SHIMONOSEKI BOMBARDMENT (1864). Choshu domain leaders
upset at the Tokugawa shogunate for not expelling foreigners,
began attacking Western trade ships passing through the Shimonoseki
Straits between Honshu and Kyushu Islands. In 1864, a force of
naval ships from United States, France, Britain, and Holland attacked
forts along the area, landed troops, and destroyed Choshu weapons.
Choshu domain and the Tokugawa government signed a treaty, which
included a substantial indemnity and trade concessions, with the
Western powers. As with the Kagoshima bombardment in Satsuma
one year earlier, Choshu domain turned its attention away from attacking
foreigners and toward overthrowing the Tokugawa bakufu in
the wake of the Shimonoseki bombardment. See also MEIJI
RESTORATION.