In between Elgin's two trips to China he had visited Japan and signed in August 1858 a Treaty of Amity and Commerce whose negotiation was much eased by the recent Harris Treaty between Japan and the United States.
In between Elgin's two trips to China he had visited Japan and signed a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Japan in August 1858, an unequal treaty that gave Japan semi-colonial status. The negotiation of this treaty was much eased by the recent signing of the Harris Treaty between Japan and United States.