Well we did sail into Tokyo Bay in 1853 and threaten to shell them unless they agreed to trade with us.
That, we did. I believe a few shells were lobbed on shore as a warning. The USA and other western powers interfered with Japan. The USA action resulted in Japan trying to quickly modernize, resulting in Japan defeating the Chinese in a war, whereupon the USA and western powers forced Japan to not conquer Chinese territory and make peace with China and Russia. Which later led to war with Russia which Japan won, and again western powers again interfered. During the war with China, the USA embargoed Japan and choked off supplies. Yes, Japan started WWII with the USA, but the Japanese were pretty ticked off at US interference by then. Wars don't always have simple beginnings.