Japan Timeline By MasonsbetterthanLenny Period: Jan 1, 1853 to Dec 31, 1872 First Timespan Jul 8, 1853 The arrival of Matthew Perry Matthew Perry arrived in Japan Mar 31, 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa Treaty of Kanagawa was signed, making Japan open two ports in which US ships could take out supplies Dec 14, 1867 Meiji Reform and Modernization Mutshuito ruled, his rule was called the Enlightenment Rule. Jan 1, 1872 First railroad line built Period: Jan 1, 1900 to Dec 31, 1920 Second Timespan Jan 1, 1905 Japan and Russia begin peace negotiations Jan 1, 1910 Japan officailly imposes annexation on Korea Jan 1, 1914 Japan has more than 7,000 miles of railroad