During the Hongwu era, relations with the Ashikaga government of Japan were at a standstill. Hu Weiyong, who was executed in 1380, was accused of conspiring with Japanese assistance. In 1399, Shōgun Yoshimitsu took the initiative to restore contacts in order to make profit from trade with China. This led to another mission being sent in 1403, during which the Yongle Emperor's sovereignty was recognized. In the same year, the Ming government opened maritime trade offices in Ningbo, Quanzhou, and Guangzhou, which allowed Japanese merchants with government licenses to trade. In 1411, new Shōgun Yoshimochi implemented an isolationist policy and interrupted official relations. He also rejected the Ming's attempt to re-establish relations in 1417. Despite this, the allure of Chinese coins and goods was too strong for the Japanese to resist, and illegal private trade continued from the ports of southern Japan.
During the Hongwu era, relations with the Ashik.aga government of Japan were at a standstill. Hu Weiyong, who was executed in 1380, was accused of conspiring with Japanese assistance In 1399, Shōgun Yoshimitsu took the initiative to restore contacts in order to make profit from trade with China. This led to another mission being sent in 1403, during which the Yongle Emperor's sovereignty was recognized. In the same year, the Ming government opened maritime trade offices in Ningbo, Quanzhou, and Guangzhou, which allowed Japanese merchants with government licenses to trade. In 1411, new Shōgun Yoshimochi implemented an isolationist policy and interrupted official relations. He also rejected the Ming's attempt to re-establish relations in 1417. Despite this, the allure of Chinese coins and goods was too strong for the Japanese to resist, and illegal private trade continued from the ports of southern Japan.