How did the Japanese react to European exploration?

The major
Japanese response to European exploration was one of isolation.  Between the years 1633 and
1853, Japan was a "locked country" which did not allow Japanese to leave or foreigners
to enter.  Japan acted in this way largely because of a fear that an influx of foreigners would
destabilize the Shogunate that was then ruling the country.

Japan did not
completely close itself during this time.  The Japanese knew there were things that the
Westerners could sell them that they wanted.  So they allowed very limited amounts of trade to
be conducted through the port of Nagasaki in Southern Japan.

Thus, Japan
tried to have the best of both worlds -- the tried to shut out European influences (like
Christianity) that they did not like while admitting things that they did
like.