GREAT BRITAIN, THE GREAT POWERS, AND THE SHIMONOSEKI INCIDENT
GREAT BRITAIN, THE GREAT POWERS, AND THE SHIMONOSEKI INCIDENT

Summary/Abstract: The Shimonoseki Incident was a major diplomatic conflict between the Great Powers and Japan. It was initiated by the Chōshū Domain, which tried to block the Shimonoseki Straits for the foreign shipping after an Imperial edict to expel the “barbarians” was issued. Chōshū batteries attacked three foreign vessels in June and July 1863. The reaction of the Great Powers involved in the Japanese policy was harsh. The Americans and French sent ships to bombard the enemy positions. However, these attacks did not stop the construction of new batteries and obstruct the safe passage through the Inland Sea, which considerably affected international trade with Japan. Only after the British representatives in Japan united the powers for a joint action could the problem be solved. The allied fleet forced Chōshū into submission, and the British diplomacy forced the Japanese military government (the Tokugawa bakufu) to accept the terms under which an indemnity was paid. The incident results had a serious impact on the future policy of Great Britain in Japan and its involvement in the coming Meiji Restoration.

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