Final answer:
It is true that Japan was forced to sign unequal treaties with Western powers during the mid-19th century following the arrival of American naval forces led by Matthew Perry, which led to the Meiji Restoration and the modernization of Japan.
Step-by-step explanation:
During this historical era, Japan was forced to sign unequal treaties with Western powers; this is true. In the mid-19th century, under the threat of U.S. naval power led by Matthew Perry, Japan opened its ports to the West. This initiated the end of the country's long-standing policy of national seclusion, leading to the signing of treaties that were heavily biased in favor of Western powers. These treaties often included terms like extraterritoriality, which exempted foreigners from local law, and set low import and export duties, which were detrimental to the Japanese economy. Furthermore, despite the introduction of Western technologies and governmental systems during the Meiji Restoration, and Japan's successful modernization and expansion, their claims for equitable treatment were often dismissed by the Western powers, evident in international gatherings like the Treaty of Versailles. This period of imposed inequality exacerbated tensions within Japan, eventually fueling movements that sought to restore national sovereignty and pride, including the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate.