Following the conclusion of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan as well as the Ansei Commercial Treaties, trade started in three ports such as Hakodate Port, Yokohama Port and Nagasaki Port from 1859, and merchants in Japan began to have dealings with foreign merchants living in these ports.
日米修好通商条約や安政五カ国条約の締結により、1859年（安政6年）から函館港・横浜港・長崎港の3港で貿易が開始し、港に居留する外国商人と日本の商人との間で取引が行われるようになった。