When was Japan discovered and by who?

The discovery of Japan is not attributed to a single person or a specific date. Japan has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of human presence dating back to the Paleolithic era. However, the first recorded interactions with Japan by outsiders occurred during the 6th and 7th centuries AD when Chinese and Korean envoys visited the country for diplomatic and trade purposes. Over time, Japan's isolationist tendencies led to limited interactions with the rest of the world until the arrival of European explorers and traders in the 16th century. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish direct trade with Japan in 1543, and were followed by the Spanish, Dutch, and English. These interactions had a profound impact on Japan's history, culture, and society, leading to the subsequent periods of isolation and eventual modernization of the country.