Born in Edo into the Abe family, lords of Fukuyama in Bingo.
He became lord of Fukuyama.
He became magistrate of temples and shrines, proving his ability in shogunate service.
Still in his twenties he became a senior councillor, and later head of the council.
When Perry arrived he sought opinions from daimyo, retainers and even townspeople, an unprecedented step.
He concluded the Treaty of Kanagawa with the United States, opening Shimoda and Hakodate.
He set up the Nagasaki Naval Training Center, a military academy and an institute for Western studies, and promoted talents such as Katsu Kaishū (the Ansei Reforms).
Still in office, he died of illness in Edo.
Matthew C. PerryZusho HirosatoTakashima ShūhanTokugawa NariakiKawaji ToshiakiraHotta MasayoshiKatsu KaishūIwase Tadanari
Nabeshima Naomasa (Kansō)Yoshida TōyōShimazu HisamitsuIwase TadanariKatsu KaishūŌmura MasujirōJohn ManjirōKusumoto Ine
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.