How can we know the truth about USA Commodore Perry - hero or villain? The forced opening of isolated Japan by gunboat diplomacy.

From Wikipedia :Threat of force and negotiation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_C._Perry#The_Perry_Expedition:_Opening_of_Japan.2C_1852-1854 

Japanese coastal wooden cannon built by the Daimyos at the Bakufu's order for Commodore Perry's arrival. 1853-54.

As he arrived, Perry ordered his ships to steam past Japanese lines towards the capital of Edo, and position their guns towards the town of Uraga.^[11] Perry refused to abide to demands to leave.^[11] He then demanded permission to present a letter from President Millard Fillmore, and threatened to use force if the Japanese boats around the American squadron did not disperse.^[11]
Perry attempted to intimidate the Japanese by presenting them a white flag and a letter which told them that in case they chose to combat, the Americans would necessarily vanquish them.^[12][13] Perry's ships were equipped with new Paixhans shell guns, capable of wreaking great destruction with every shell.^[14][15] The term "Black Ships", in Japan, would later come to symbolize a threat imposed by Western technology.^[16]
After the Japanese agreed to receive the letter from the American President, Perry landed at Kurihama (in modern-day Yokosuka) on July 14, 1853^[17] presented the letter to delegates present, and left for the Chinese coast, promising to return for a reply.^[18]
Fortifications were built in Tokyo Bay at Odaiba in order to protect Edo from possible American naval incursion.