<span>The arrival of Perry was both a blessing and a curse. Japan had been isolationist for a lengthy period of time and marooned sailors who washed up on the shores of Japan were often mistreated and seen as 'invaders'. Russia and the United States were in a competition for trade in the Pacific and Perry's arrival meant that the United States was seeking better treatment of marooned mariners and use of port facilities. This caused Japan to become more engaged and engaging in international commerce, gave the United States a foothold in a new trade relationship and caused Japan to find the need to modernize, economically, politically and culturally.</span>
