Kagoshima's bombardment and Togo's first combat experience

Foreigners protected by the treaties did not have to respect local law, including the custom that travellers yield to a daimyo's procession. A British merchant was killed after failing to make way, and Britain demanded £100,000 from the shogunate and bombarded Satsuma. That sum amounted to roughly a third of the government's annual income, so naval coercion caused fiscal as well as political damage. Togo served as a gun lieutenant during the defence, which also exposed serious readiness failures such as delayed preparation and exhausted ammunition. The shogunate's inability either to restrain Britain or defend Satsuma weakened its standing with foreign powers and Japanese domains alike. The aftermath strengthened Satsuma's relationship with Britain and helped it acquire modern warships.