The Perry Expedition was a turning point in global history, marking the moment when Japan ended more than two centuries of seclusion and began its rapid transformation into a modern state. Commodore Matthew Perry’s mission opened Japan to international trade and diplomacy. It also enabled the creation of the 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa, which laid the foundation for the enduring U.S.–Japan relationship that went on to develop into an Alliance that has persisted for more than 65 years. Commemorating this anniversary is important because it provides an opportunity to reflect on the profound consequences of this encounter—both the challenges and opportunities it created—while fostering dialogue on how historical experiences of diplomacy, exchange, and maritime engagement can continue to inform cooperation and mutual understanding today.
Planned Activities
The project's activities will begin in earnest from March 2027, the month that marks 175 years after Commodore Perry received his orders to sail for Japan
Support for Festivals
A dedicated project will provide academic support to the Perry, Black Ships, and Japan-America Friendship Festivals held in Yokosuka, Shimoda, Hakodate, and Newport. These festivals commemorate Commodore Matthew Perry’s expedition and the opening of Japan to international engagement, serving as vital platforms for cultural exchange and public remembrance. By strengthening the intellectual and educational dimensions of these festivals, Perry 175 will ensure that the commemorations serve not only
as moments of celebration but also as opportunities for meaningful reflection, learning, and dialogue between communities in Japan and the United States.
Japan-America Friendship Flame
This project aims to establish a commemorative flame in Newport, Rhode Island — the hometown of Commodore Matthew Perry. This flame will serve as a permanent symbol of remembrance and
reflection, honoring the 175th anniversary of the expedition and the enduring legacy of U.S.–Japan relations. The Newport flame is envisioned as a trans-Pacific counterpart to the US-Japan Friendship Flame that has been
flickering in Shimoda, Shizuoka since 2004, the 150th anniversary of the 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa.
Lecture Series
A seminar series will bring together historians, diplomats, maritime professionals, and community leaders to share learning about the legacy and contemporary relevance of Commodore Perry’s expedition. Hosted in Japan, the United States and online, these seminars will provide accessible yet rigorous forums for examining the historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions of the expedition while fostering dialogue on its lessons for today’s U.S.–Japan partnership. By combining academic insight with public engagement, the series will enrich commemorative events, support cultural engagement, and inspire cross-cultural understanding that links past encounters to future cooperation.
Organizational Partners
Committee Members
John Bradford (USN, ret.), Executive Director, YCAPS
Rob Dahlin (USN, ret.), President JASNE
Keizo Kitagwa (JMSDF, ret.), Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University
Hiroko Yamaguchi
Annette Bradford, Special Advisor for Education and Policy, YCAPS
Benjamin “BJ” Armstrong, Permanent Military Professor, US Naval Academy
