Japan underwent rapid modernization due to the impact of the West. Significant influences from the West caused an intense and extensive transformation of Japan's feudal system into a modern industrialized nation. The arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry, commander-in-chief of the US forces in 1853, was a major contribution to the modernization of Japan. Perry had been sent to force the Japanese inhabitants to grant the following: protection for American soldiers, opening one or two ports for repairs and coaling, and opening one or more ports for commercial purposes. The shogun accepted Perry's terms. This led to Japan's rapid transition and modernization from a feudal society to an industrialized nation. As a result of Perry's visits and the treaties that followed, many Japanese were humiliated, confused, and fearful for the future. Some Japanese wanted to drive out the foreigners, the slogan was SONNOJOI, which meant "Revere the emperor, expel the barbarian!" Others were all in favor of deposing the SHOGUN, who in their opinion had surrendered the country too easily. Others believed that Japan should accept foreigners, learn from them, and modernize. Perry's visits and treaties sparked revolution, which led to the Meiji Restoration. In 1867 the Meiji Restoration began. Two very significant things happened during this time. The first being; The emperor was restored to power and allowed to rule alone again, unhindered by a SHOGUN, hence the name Restoration. The second was that the country modernized and joined the outside world. This meant that the young emperor of the time, Mutsuhito, was returned to his rightful place as ruler of Japan. Mutsuhito's period of rule would become known... half the paper... available. The introduction of modern technology to Japan saw the nations complete the modernization and transformation from Sir Rutherford Alcock's vision that Japan was a "distant and puny adversary" into a modern, powerful nation. On July 30, 1912, Emperor Meiji died. After ruling for nearly half a century, Emperor Meiji had presided over a very important period of transformation and change in Japan's history. His death had a profound effect on the Japanese people. They wrote; “The light of heaven has gone out today, leaving the world in darkness.” The Emperor's death marked the end of the Meiji period. To conclude, the influences of Western powers, the arrival of Matthew Perry, and the treaties that followed all contributed to the rapid modernization of Japan. Japan completely transformed from a feudal system to a modernized, powerful, and respected nation.