Treaty between the Russian Empire, and the Empire of Japan (Tokugawa shogunate)
The Treaty of Shimoda ended Japan's 220-year sakoku isolation policy by opening ports to Russia and defining the Russo-Japanese border.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- February 7, 1855
- Ports opened to Russia
- Nagasaki, Shimoda, and Hakodate
- Duration of sakoku policy ended
- 220 years years
- Parties
- Russian Empire and Tokugawa shogunate (Japan)
- Preceded by
- Convention of Kanagawa (Japan–USA)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Japan had maintained a policy of national seclusion (sakoku) for approximately 220 years. Western powers were increasingly pressuring Asian nations to open their ports to trade and diplomacy, exemplified by the Convention of Kanagawa signed shortly before between Japan and the United States.
On February 7, 1855, representatives of the Russian Empire and the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan signed the Treaty of Shimoda. The agreement opened the ports of Nagasaki, Shimoda, and Hakodate to Russian vessels, established the right to station Russian consuls in Japan, and formally defined the territorial border between the two empires.
The treaty effectively dismantled Japan's long-standing sakoku isolation policy, following the earlier Convention of Kanagawa. It established a legal framework for Russo-Japanese relations, set border demarcations, and permitted a permanent Russian consular presence in Japan, accelerating Japan's broader integration into the international diplomatic order.
Political Outcome
Japan opened three ports to Russian vessels, allowed Russian consulates, and agreed on a defined Russo-Japanese border, ending centuries of national seclusion.
Japan maintained a 220-year policy of national isolation (sakoku), severely restricting foreign access.
Japan opened ports to Russia and permitted consular presence, marking the end of sakoku and beginning of diplomatic integration.