Commodore Matthew Perry was a United States Navy officer born on April 10, 1794. He is best known for his role in opening Japan to the West in the mid-19th century. In 1853, he led a fleet of four warships to Tokyo Bay, marking the beginning of diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan. His efforts culminated in the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, which established trade and friendship between the two nations. Perry's expedition was significant not only for its immediate impact on U.S.-Japan relations but also for its broader influence on global trade and diplomacy. His actions helped end Japan's period of isolation, known as Sakoku, and paved the way for modernization in Japan. Perry's legacy is remembered as a pivotal moment in both American and Japanese history.