Main content

Japan

For 250 years, Japan has thrived, largely cut off from western influence – until US gunboats arrive. In the face of an industrialised west, how will reformers, the shogun and the samurai class react?

A look at the dramatic collision between Japan’s samurai class and the industrialised west in the mid-19th century, explored through the characters of US naval commander Commodore Matthew Perry, eager to establish a US-Japan trade route; the shogun, the Japanese ruler, aiming to keep his grip on power; and the samurai Saigo Takamori, a Japanese warrior and reformer dedicated to protecting Japan’s independence.

9 months left to watch

59 minutes

Signed Audio described

Last on

Sun 21 Dec 2025 00:50

More episodes

Next

You are at the last episode

See all episodes from Civilisations: Rise and Fall

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Sophie Okonedo
Shogun Yuya Sato
Saigo Joshua Jo
Director Patrick Dickinson
Producer Jack Levy
Production Manager Emma Hyland
Series Producer Anthony Mitchell
Executive Producer Alexander Leith

Broadcasts

Civilisations: Origins and Empires

Civilisations: Origins and Empires

Journeys into the ancient worlds that shaped our own.

Civilisations on Âé¶¹Éç Sounds

Civilisations on Âé¶¹Éç Sounds

Celebrate the new TV series of Civilisations with this curated list of history podcasts.