Many western nations began to pressure Japan into opening their ports to begin trading with other nations. U.S. Commodore Mathew Perry took some of his finest ships to show off in front of Japans sea ports. Japan relized that they wouldn't stand a chance if their samurai went up against these steam powered boats equipted with cannons and rifles. The Shogun finally allowed the letter Perry brought from the U.S. president. After a year of debating, Japan finally let the U.S. set up an embassy in Japan. But once the U.S. was in Japan, all the other western powers soon followed. They were all allowed to trade with Japan, which lead to Japan to quickly become modernized.