Sakoku was a policy of national isolation in Japan that lasted from the early 17th century until the mid-19th century. Implemented by the Tokugawa shogunate, it restricted foreign relations and trade, allowing only limited contact with specific countries, such as the Netherlands and China. This policy aimed to maintain political stability and prevent the influence of foreign powers, particularly Christian missionaries. During sakoku, Japanese citizens were forbidden to travel abroad, and foreign ships were not allowed to dock at Japanese ports. The policy effectively isolated Japan from the rest of the world, fostering a unique culture and society that developed independently until the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853, which ultimately led to the end of sakoku.