726 Chapter 6
200 UNITED KINGDOM/740 JAPANMID#13
Dispute Number: 13
Date(s): December 24, 1862 to December 11, 1863
Participants: 2 United States of America, 200 United Kingdom, 220 France/740
Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side A (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: This dispute refers to an array of issues between Western powers and
Choshu-controlled southern Japan that took place from 1863 to 1864. The three
Western states had some different issues at stake. Britain was upset over the samurai-
caused death of foreign national Charles Lennox Richardson (and the injury of a few
other British subjects) as a result of the Namamugi Incident of September 14, 1862.
The French and the Americans were upset that this antiforeign sentiment had resulted
in Japanese open fire on foreign ships traveling the Shimonoseki Straits in southern
Japan.
American and French participation was limited. The French invested heavily in
their foreign deployment in Mexico to support Maximilian. The Americans were
mired in their own civil war. Nevertheless, hostilities between both sides escalated
into naval skirmishes on the Shimonoseki Straits in the early summer of 1863, culmi-
nating in the British bombardment of Kagoshima in August 1863. The Western states
ultimately overwhelmed Japan in 1864, prompting a large indemnity.
Though negotiated, the dispute ended in stalemate. The British were able to effec-
tively punish the Japanese but also suffered severe casualties themselves. An ongoing
typhoon wrecked British ships and contributed to the 63 casualties of the seven-ship
squadron, prompting the British to retreat to Yokohama for repairs. Both sides claimed
some measure of success, a December 11, 1864, agreement was reached between the
British and the Japanese regarding an indemnity and a disingenuous guarantee from
the Japanese to search for and punish those responsible for Richardson’s murder.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from April 6, 1863. End Date changed from
August 17, 1863. Outcome changed from Victory for side A. Settlement changed from
Imposed. Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#224
Dispute Number: 224
Date(s): November 4, 1865 to November 24, 1865
Participants: 200 United Kingdom, 210 Netherlands, 220 France/740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A combined British, French, and Dutch squadron entered Osaka Bay in
order to force Japan to agree to 1858 treaties regarding the opening of Japanese ports
for traders, tariffs, and the paying of indemnities. Japanese authorities gave in to their
demands.