Abe Masahiro
Abe Masahiro was a lord of Fukuyama domain and tairô, known for his role in ending the Tokugawa shogunate's policy of maritime restrictions and "opening" Japan to the West in the 1850s.
Abe 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.
