First landing of Americans in Japan, under Commodore M. C. Perry at Gore-Hama 14 July 1853. Lithograph by Sarony & Co., 1855, after W. Heine. Copied from a portfolio in a private collection.

December 8, 1941 Franklin Roosevelt asks Congress for a Declaration of War with Japan. (Franklin D. Roosevelt Library & Museum)

Japanese surrender signatories arrive aboard the USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay to participate in surrender ceremonies. (The National Archives)

Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito.

Eisaku Sato and Richard Nixon at San Clemente, California, January 1972.

The Reagans and Japanese Emperor Hirohito at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan. 11/9/83 (The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library)

President Bill Clinton with Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of Japan at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, April 17, 1996.

U.S.–Japan summit on 21 September 2004.