Abe Masahiro

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Mashiro Abe

Abe Masahiro (阿部正弘) (December 3, 1819, Edo (now Tokyo) - August 6, 1857, Edo) was the chief senior councillor (rōjū) in the Japanese government at the time of the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry. Against the shogun's wishes, and the wishes of many other government officials, he worked to open Japan to the West, signing the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854, and other unequal treaties shortly afterwards.

[edit] Life & Career

Abe was a daimyō (feudal lord) of Fukuyama, having inherited the position from his father, and also served as governor of Ise province. He was appointed jisha bugyō (minister of shrines and temples) in 1840, and rōjū three years later.

Commodore Perry's famous episode of gunboat diplomacy occurred in early 1854; Abe was one of the top officials of the shogunate to meet with Perry, and his officers, to negotiate arrangements between their two countries. In March, Abe signed the Convention of Kanagawa, marking the beginnings of the opening of Japan and extending the arm of friendship to the United States. The treaty allowed for American use of certain Japanese sites as coaling stations, the opening of several ports, and the establishment of a consulate. Abe would then sign similar treaties with Russia, the Netherlands, and England very soon afterwards.

All of this raised significant opposition both within the shogunal government, and without, among political factions defined by the slogan sonnō jōi (尊皇攘夷, "Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians"). Thus, he resigned, and was replaced by Hotta Masayoshi, who sought to undo much of Abe's work, and to close Japan once more.

Despite his resignation, however, Abe continued to have significant influence for the rest of his life. He aided in the formation of a modern military, advocated the study of Western sciences, and supported the notion of government selection of talented men, even of low birth, to serve as workers or bureaucrats.