Open The Ports Essay, Research Paper

Open The Ports

As a member of the Japanese Board of Trade, I suggest that we open our ports to American trade, and possibly other foreign trade as well. There are many reasons why I feel strongly about this, primarily because it will better our country. I also believe we should trade with the United States of America is because they have much to offer us in trade, and this will also open up other trade routes allowing us to spread our beliefs with outsiders, and the truth is: if we don’t trade with them, we’ll find ourselves in the middle of a hapless war for us without allies. If one possessed the clairvoyance to ascertain whether or not trading with the U.S. will better our country, then that one person would know that we should take the offer from America.

Only staying here in Japan and trading with the Deutsche, there is only so much that can be brought to us, or traded from us. We have extremely mountainous lands, where it is immensely difficult to plant, crop, and harvest for the farming industry. In fact, only one-sixth of our land is fertile soil for farming. America would trade to us the alternative crops that we don’t have room to plant. The only drawback is that we would have to provide their steamboats with coal, and we would also have to shelter their shipwrecked people at our bays which will hardly set us back. Also, by being so secluded to the outside world, our technology is in comparison, shoddy. By trading with the U.S. we will be introduced to more advanced technology so that we may one day as well can be as technologically advanced as the U.S.A.

After opening trade with the U.S. other countries will want to trade with us as well. All of these different countries with different cultures visiting our country will be enriched with our ancient traditions, and be amazed with our own culture, subsequently spreading our thoughts and beliefs throughout the world. In addition, when we trade with foreign countries, we can also learn about their cultures as well. The trading with foreign countries will be beneficial to our society if we just let this take its own course.

In President Fillmore’s last letter to us, there was sensed a tone of threatening. The truth is, if they started a war with us we wouldn’t have a chance. We do not have enough allies, enough weapons, or enough supplies in general to be able to withstand a bombardment from U.S. By opening up trade with them, this worry of ours will easily be assuaged, and we’ll have gained new allies including U.S.A. The earlier we accept their offers, the quicker we’ll get the process in motion.

In conclusion, there are a few, but very important things to remember. One is that this decision of ours is simple, practically in black and white. The second are these important sayings: “Bunmei Kaika, Fukoku Kyohei, and Shokusan Kogyo.” We must understand this is what we are doing it for as well. Better our nation, and yourself, open the ports.