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Abe was first appointed to the ''[[roju|rôjû]]'' at the age of 25.<ref>Plaque on statue of Abe Masahiro, at Fukuyama castle.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/36240812453/sizes/l]</ref> He served as Tairô from [[1845]] until [[1855]]. Initially, as Western encroachment expanded, and visits from Western ships became more frequent, Abe oversaw the strengthening of coastal defenses while simultaneously encouraging a somewhat conciliatory stance. After the so-called "Black Ships" of [[Commodore Perry]] arrived in [[1853]], he took the very controversial step of asking for the opinions or suggestions of the [[Imperial Court]], and of the various ''daimyô'', essentially abdicating the decision-making power (and, the appearance of competency and strength) of the shogunate.

Abe was first appointed to the ''[[roju|rôjû]]'' at the age of 25.<ref>Plaque on statue of Abe Masahiro, at Fukuyama castle.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/36240812453/sizes/l]</ref> He served as Tairô from [[1845]] until [[1855]]. Initially, as Western encroachment expanded, and visits from Western ships became more frequent, Abe oversaw the strengthening of coastal defenses while simultaneously encouraging a somewhat conciliatory stance. After the so-called "Black Ships" of [[Commodore Perry]] arrived in [[1853]], he took the very controversial step of asking for the opinions or suggestions of the [[Imperial Court]], and of the various ''daimyô'', essentially abdicating the decision-making power (and, the appearance of competency and strength) of the shogunate.

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