Dejima

Dejima was a small man-made island built in the early 17th century in Nagasaki, Japan. It served as Japan’s exclusive gateway for trade and diplomatic contact with the Dutch and Chinese traders during a period of national isolation (Edo period). Because Japan limited foreign influence, Dejima was one of the few places where foreigners could live and conduct commerce legally. It functioned as a controlled point of exchange, allowing Japan to receive goods, knowledge, and information while maintaining strict oversight and isolation from other foreign powers. Today, Dejima is a historical site reflecting Japan’s unique approach to foreign relationships during that era.