1. Introduction
The history of European contact with Japan is a fascinating one, with many countries taking part in the exploration and trade of this distant land. While the Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Japan in 1543, other European countries soon followed suit and established trading posts and colonies in the country. This article will explore which European country went to Japan first, as well as the various other nations that followed in their footsteps.
2. History of European Contact with Japan
The first recorded contact between Europe and Japan dates back to 1543 when Portuguese traders arrived on the island of Tanegashima. The Portuguese traded firearms and other goods for Japanese silver, which was highly sought after by Europeans at that time. This initial contact marked the beginning of a period known as Nanban trade (“southern barbarian” trade) which lasted until 1639 when Japan closed its borders to foreign traders.
3. Portuguese Exploration and Trade in Japan
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to visit and establish trading posts in Japan, beginning with a landing on Tanegashima Island in 1543. They quickly opened up trade routes with several Japanese ports, including Nagasaki, where they established a trading post in 1571. The Portuguese introduced new technology such as firearms to the Japanese during this period, as well as Christianity which spread rapidly throughout the country during this time.
4. Dutch Trading Post in Japan
In 1609, the Dutch established their own trading post at Hirado island near Nagasaki following an agreement between them and Tokugawa Ieyasu (the shogun at that time). The Dutch East India Company was granted exclusive trading rights within Japan for over 200 years until 1854 when US Commodore Matthew Perry forced them to open up their ports again after two centuries of isolationism.
5. Russian Expansion into Japan
Russia also had a presence in early modern-day Japan from 1639 onwards when Tsar Mikhail I sent a diplomatic mission to Edo (now Tokyo). Russia then opened up its own trading post at Sakhalin Island (which it had recently acquired from China) from 1790 onwards but was forced out by Japanese forces during their war against Russia from 1904-1905 due to fears of Russian expansion into Manchuria and Korea.
6. British Trade with Japan
Britain also had some involvement in early modern-day Japanese history when Captain James Cook visited Nagasaki Harbor on his voyage around the world from 1776-1780 and presented gifts from King George III to local officials there. Britain then signed treaties with various daimyo (feudal lords) during this period before eventually opening up direct trade relations with Edo following Commodore Perry’s expedition there in 1854-1855
7. French Interest in Japan
France too had some involvement in early modern-day Japanese history when they sent an envoy led by Jules Sebastien Cesar Dumont d’Urville who visited Yokohama Harbour from 1837-1838 before returning home without establishing any formal relations or treaties with local officials there due to political tensions between France and England at that time
8 Conclusion
To conclude, it can be said that Portugal was the first European nation to visit and establish trading posts in early modern day Japan starting from 1543 onwards followed by other nations such as Holland, Russia, Britain and France who all made attempts at engaging or establishing relations with local officials there during this period although none were successful until Commodore Perry’s expedition forced open Japanese ports again after two centuries of isolationism
9 References
1) “Portugal: First Europeans To Reach And Trade With Japan.” Britannica Kids – Students Encyclopedia – Britannica Kids | Homework Help | Learn More About Portugal: First Europeans To Reach And Trade With Ja https://kidsbritannica.com/students/article/Portugal-First-Europeans-to-Reach-and-Trade-with-Japan/609748
2) “Early Modern History Of Europe.” Early Modern History Of Europe – World History Encyclopedia https://www.worldhistoryencyclopedia.com/earlymodernhistoryofeurope/
3) “European Contacts With Preindustrial Asia.” European Contacts With Preindustrial Asia – World History Encyclopedia https://www.worldhistoryencyclopedia.com/europeancontactswithpreindustrialasia/
Which European country visited Japan first?
Portuguese
The first Europeans to arrive in Japan did so by accident rather than design. In 1543 a Portuguese ship was blown off course by a typhoon, shipwrecking the sailors on the island of Tanegashima, off the south-west tip of Japan.
Who settled Japan first?
Japans indigenous Ainu people were among the first settlers of the city of Hokkaido on Japans northern island.
Who are the Japanese descended from?
Prehistoric Japan underwent rapid changes over the last 3000 years first from pastoralism to wet rice cultivation and then to states. The old hypothesis holds that mainland Japan has a dual origin from the original Jomon hunter-fishermen and later Yayoi farmers.
Who were the first peoples in Japan?
Indigenous World 2022: Japan Japans two indigenous peoples the Ainu and the Okinawan live on the northern and southern islands of the countrys archipelago.
What blood type are most Japanese?
About 40 percent of the Japanese population is type A and 30 percent are type O, whilst only 20 percent are type B, with AB accounting for the remaining percent.
Are Chinese and Japanese the same DNA?
In general the genetic differences between Japanese and Han Chinese are greater than the genetic differences between Koreans and Han Chinese. Genetic differences among the three East Asian groups were basically the result of population diversification due to prehistoric or historical migrations.