"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Convention between Great Britain and Japan (Anglo-Japanese Friendship Treaty)

[Place] Nagasaki
[Date] October 14, 1854
[Source] Kyujoyakuisan, Dai 1 kan, Kakkokunobu, Dai 2 bu, pp. 1-3.
[Notes] The 23rd day, 8th month, 7th year of Kaei
[Full text]

Signed at Nagasaki, October 14th 1854 (the 23rd day, 8th month, 7th year of Kaei).

Ratifications exchanged at Nagasaki, October 9th 1855 (the 29th day, 8th month, 2nd year of Ansei).

It is agreed between Sir James Stirling, Knight, Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-chief of the ships and vessels of Her Britannic Majesty in the East Indies and seas adjacent, and Mizu-no Chikugo-no Kami, Obugio of Nagasaki, and Nagai Iwa-no jio, Ometske of Nagasaki, ordered by His Imperial Highness the Emperor of Japan to act herein, that:--

ARTICLE I.

The Ports of Nagasaki [Hizen] and Hakodate [Matsmai] shall be open to British ships for the purposes of effecting repairs, and obtaining fresh water, provisions, and other supplies of any sort they may absolutely want for the use of the ships.

ARTICLE II.

Nagasaki shall be open for the purposes aforesaid from and after the present date; and Hakodate from and after the end of fifty days from the Admiral’s departure from this port. The rules and regulations of each of these ports are to be complied with.

ARTICLE III.

Only ships in distress from weather, or unmanageable, will be permitted to enter other ports than those specified in the foregoing Articles, without permission from the Imperial Government.

ARTICLE IV.

British ships in Japanese ports shall conform to the laws of Japan. If high officers or commanders of ships shall break any such laws, it will lead to the ports being closed. Should inferior persons break them, they are to be delivered over to the Commanders of their ships for punishment.

ARTICLE V.

In the ports of Japan, either now open, or which may hereafter be opened, to the ships or subjects of any foreign nation, British ships and subjects shall be entitled to admission, and to the enjoyment of an equality of advantages with those of the most favoured nation, always excepting the advantages accruing to the Dutch and Chinese from their existing relations with Japan.

ARTICLE VI.

This Convention shall be ratified, and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Nagasaki on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, and on behalf of His Highness the Emperor of Japan, within twelve months from the present date.

ARTICLE VII.

When this Convention shall be ratified, no high officer coming to Japan shall alter it.

In witness whereof we have signed the same, and have affixed our seals thereunto, at Nagasaki, this fourteenth day of October. 1854.

(L. S.) Js. Stirling

(Signed) Midzuno Chekugono Kami.

         Nagai Iwanojio.