"Discovery of Japan" and its Influence on the Far Eastern Policy of the "Great Powers" in 1854-1889

This thesis is dedicated to analyzing the impact of Commodore Matthew C. Perry's opening of Japan in 1854 on the diplomatic policies of the "Great Powers," including the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, and the Russian Empire, with respect to not only Japan but the entire Far Eastern region. The aim of the study is to identify the changes in the policies of these nations resulting from this event. The research focuses on the following aspects: examining the nature and features of the foreign policies of each of the "Great Powers" towards Japan before and after 1854, determining the impact of the American expedition and the lifting of Japan’s isolation on the diplomatic strategies of the mentioned countries, and analyzing the shift in the diplomatic and political courses of these nations regarding the Far Eastern region following the "opening of Japan." The study demonstrates that the opening of Japan significantly influenced the political dynamics in the region. The reactions of the countries varied from attempts to establish initial contacts to the development of strategies for influence and expansion in the Far Eastern region. The opening of Japan encouraged the "Great Powers" to rethink their diplomatic and trade strategies, leading to changes in their foreign policies and international relations throughout the second half of the 19th century.