The Ryukyu-U.S Treaty of Amity

 

Interesting documents on display (taken verbatim from Ryukyu Shinpo).

 

The Ryukyu-U.S Treaty of Amity was signed with Commodore Perry, who came to Uraga (Kanagawa Prefecture) and the Ryukyu islands to pry open Japan, which had an isolationist policy at the time. Because of its bias towards the US, which offered special privileges such as providing water and firewood provision to the U.S ships and their consular jurisdiction, the Ryukyu government initially rejected the treaty. However, the kingdom eventually yielded to pressure from Commodore Perry and signed the treaty. The Ryukyu government later signed similar treaties with France and Holland.

 

On February 27, the Urasoe City Museum exhibits three original copies of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s treaties of amity signed with the United States in 1854, with France in 1855, and with the Netherlands in 1859. These original copies were confiscated by the Meiji Government in May 1974 and held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These original documents have crossed the ocean and will be exhibited in Okinawa for the first time in 141 years. International law specialists note that these original documents are evidence of Ryukyu’s sovereignty at that time under international law. In the midst of growing awareness of and requests for Okinawa’s rights to self-determination, especially regarding the U.S. military base issues, the homecoming of these treaties could influence discussions over Okinawa’s restoration of sovereignty.