PERRY, COMMODORE MATTHEW: Leader of the American expedition that forced JAPAN to open its doors to the West, Commodore Matthew Perry (1794-1858) sailed into TOKYO bay on 8 July 1853. He brought valuable gifts including the most modern product of American technology, a locomotive. On 31 March 1854 he signed the KANAGAWA TREATY, the first treaty between JAPAN and a Western power. (See also Japan article).
