1856 in Japan

1856 in Japan was a period characterized by increasing internal political tensions and growing external pressure from Western powers seeking to open the country to trade and diplomatic relations. The Tokugawa Shogunate, which had maintained a policy of national seclusion (sakoku) for over two centuries, faced mounting challenges to its authority.

The shogunate, led by Tokugawa Iesada, was struggling to manage the complex issues arising from Western encroachment. Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in 1853 and subsequent visits had exposed the vulnerability of Japan's defenses and forced the Shogunate to reconsider its isolationist policy. The Kanagawa Treaty, signed in 1854, had opened some ports to American ships, but further demands from other nations like Russia, Britain, and the Netherlands were looming.

Internally, the debate over how to deal with the Western powers intensified divisions within the ruling elite and among the daimyo (feudal lords). Some advocated for maintaining the traditional policy of isolation, while others argued for a more pragmatic approach of engaging with the West to modernize and strengthen Japan. This period saw the rise of the sonnō jōi (revere the Emperor, expel the barbarians) movement, which gained momentum as a reaction to the perceived weakness of the shogunate and the growing foreign influence.

Significant events during 1856 likely included continued negotiations with foreign powers, internal deliberations within the shogunate regarding policy responses, and possibly localized incidents involving foreigners and Japanese citizens. The year served as a crucial prelude to the tumultuous years that would follow, culminating in the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Information about specific local events during this year is still being collated and investigated by historians.