Shimazu Nariakira
Citing the need to protect Japanese sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands, Satsuma "daimyō" Shimazu Nariakira successfully petitioned the Tokugawa shogunate to lift the prohibition on the construction of large ocean-going vessels in December 1852. A shipyard was constructed on Sakurajima and the new vessel was launched in May 1853 even before the visit July 1853 visit of Commodore Perry, and his fleet of "Black Ships" to Edo Bay.