Before Commodore Matthew Perry's expedition, Japan was mostly isolated from outside influences, with the exception of China and some minimal interaction with Holland. Due to this extreme isolation, Japan as a nation was relatively weak and primitive. However, once forced to open up to the West, Japan recognized the urgency of its nation's military and technological progress. From abolishing the Samurai class, to opening opportunities for advancement and growth to former farmers, to building modern industries, the Japanese made necessary changes in their quest to become a world power. The Japanese also sent their people to America and Europe to study the military organizations and strategies of different nations, observe how they spread colonies around the world, and especially learned from the fate of China and made sure to avoid becoming just another colony under one of the European countries. powers or America. With the motivation in place, Japan had the Meji Restoration, which was implemented to allow Japan to modernize socially and economically. Japan strengthened itself enough to remain a sovereign nation in the face of Western colonizing powers, experienced extraordinarily rapid industrialization and military might, and soon after created a Constitution establishing a representative democracy with liberal individual rights. Japan quickly went from being an antiquated country with little to no merit to a nation with one of the largest economies in the entire world. Simply put, Commodore Matthew Perry's visits to the opening of Japan acted as the necessary catalyst for the Japanese transformation from 1854 to the present day. Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry came from a distinguished family of naval officers. His father was Captain Ch......middle of paper......n possible if it had not been for the efforts of Commodore Matthew Perry. He was the first to break down the barriers that separated Japan from the West. Perry set out on his expedition to Japan with one object: "by the Providence of God, I may yet hope with [the Mississippi] and other ships of my squadron to accomplish something which may restore honor and credit to the country." Although his success in convincing Japan to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa led to immediate recognition, he did not know what the future held for Japan. Once the Japanese signed the treaty, more and more requests came in. With these demands came acceptance and, consequently, modernization. Japan became increasingly Westernized and, consequently, more motivated, curious and hungry to be recognized as a world power. Ultimately, Commodore Matthew Perry was the catalyst that started it all.