Japan Steps into the Modern Era.

Unlike many countries, which consist of a large landmass, Japan is made up of nearly 3,000 islands. Before people began emigrating from Japan to North America, the island nation had isolated itself from the rest of the world. For over 250 years, the leaders of Japan shut off the country to foreign trade and influence by closing its shipping ports so that ships from other nations could not enter Japan. The Edo government of Japan also made it against the law for people to read foreign books and learn about other religions, customs, or beliefs. The government did not want anyone or anything to challenge traditional Japanese values, such as obedience and harmony, especially within the family unit. Japan might have remained isolated even longer were it not for the U.S. Navy. In 1853, U.S. naval officer Commodore Matthew C. Perry arrived in Edo Harbor. He had a letter from U.S. president Millard Fillmore. The letter requested permission for American ships to stop at Japanese ports for supplies.