ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Charles W. Thayer

Charles W. Thayer was an American diplomat who lived in the 19th century (1800s). He was the first diplomat to the Japanese Empire. He became famous because he helped form a friendship and alliance between the United States and Japan. He also worked to help open Japan up to foreign trade and even visited the country a few times. He is remembered today as a major player in starting the relationship that we have with Japan today.