Hideyoshi in 1577 had seized Nagasaki, Japan's…

Hideyoshi in 1577 had seized Nagasaki, Japan's major point of contact with the outside world.

He had taken control of the various trade associations and has tried to regulate all overseas activities.

Although China rebuffs his efforts to secure trade concessions, Hideyoshi succeeds in sending commercial missions to the Philippines, Malaya, and Siam (present-day Thailand).

He is suspicious of Christianity, however, as potentially subversive to daimyo loyalties and he has some missionaries crucified.