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History and Culture

History and Culture

Nagasaki Port was the only port open to the West during Japan's isolation from the West

Ports have played a major role in the development of Japan. Overseas trade is mainly conducted in the port cities of Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, and Kobe. However, looking at the history of ports in Japan, Nagasaki Port was a pioneer of today’s ports. Nagasaki Port played the role of the only port in Japan open to the West under the national isolation policy (1603-1867) as trade with the Netherlands was conducted on the reclaimed island of "Dejima".

Dejima

 

Beginning of modernization in Japan. The first step of opening the country

Japan concluded various agreements 155 years ago following the arrival of Commodore Perry’s Black Ships which triggered the opening of three ports (Nagasaki, Yokohama, and Hakodate) and the beginning of formal diplomacy in Japan. During this period, trade moved to Yokohama from Nagasaki with Yokohama accounting for 90 percent of all trade in Japan. This marked the beginning of modernization in Japan.

modernization in Japan

 

Establishment of an original new Japanese culture integrating overseas cultures into its own unique culture

One example is the technology imported from foreign countries. The first railway in Japan opened in 1872 and domestic production was accomplished shortly thereafter. Today, the railway technology of Japan has now developed to the level of offering its high-speed railway technology to Great Britain, the home country of the railway. Moreover, 350 years have passed since the pottery of Japan was exported to the world by the Dutch East India Company. The pottery of Japan, which is said to have influenced the design of western porcelain, is loved by many aristocrats in western countries.

Establishment of an original new Japanese culture