What gave the U.S. economic entry into Japan?

The United States wanted to trade with Japan. However, Japan had a closed-door policy and did virtually no trading with other countries from 1639-1853. The United States decided to force the issue in 1853.

Commodore Matthew Perry went to Japan with our navy. He indicated to the Japanese that the United States wanted to trade with Japan. The display of American military power reluctantly convinced the Japanese to begin to trade with us.

There were many benefits for us to begin trading with Japan. Japan could serve as a port for our ships. As we also began to trade with China, the location of Japanese ports was an important factor affecting our shipping on the Pacific Ocean. Our ships could resupply and refuel in the Japanese ports. It was a long trip from China to the west coast of the United States.

The opening of Japanese ports in 1853 had economic benefits for the United States.