Changes

The introduction of [[Buddhism]] to Japan around this time, along with other factors, led to great political struggles, and the knowledge of Chinese legal and political systems brought back by the missions likewise contributed enormously to the shaping of the structure of the Yamato political establishment. In [[645]], the [[Taika Reforms]] were passed, putting in place a number of structures and systems which would remain (at least in some respects) the foundation of the Japanese governmental system for over a millennium, until the late 19th century.

The introduction of [[Buddhism]] to Japan around this time, along with other factors, led to great political struggles, and the knowledge of Chinese legal and political systems brought back by the missions likewise contributed enormously to the shaping of the structure of the Yamato political establishment. In [[645]], the [[Taika Reforms]] were passed, putting in place a number of structures and systems which would remain (at least in some respects) the foundation of the Japanese governmental system for over a millennium, until the late 19th century.

A Japanese mission to Tang dispatched in [[659[[ was told by the Chinese Emperor of an impending Tang attack on the Korean kingdom of [[Paekche]], and was confined at Chang’an so as to prevent them from sending warnings or otherwise aiding in preparing a defense. In the 3rd month of the following year, a combined Tang and [[Silla]] force attacked Paekche, defeating and destroying the kingdom in the 8th month.

A Japanese mission to Tang dispatched in [[659]] was told by the Chinese Emperor of an impending Tang attack on the Korean kingdom of [[Paekche]], and was confined at Chang’an so as to prevent them from sending warnings or otherwise aiding in preparing a defense. In the 3rd month of the following year, a combined Tang and [[Silla]] force attacked Paekche, defeating and destroying the kingdom in the 8th month.

The confined Japanese envoys were brought to [[Luoyang]] to attend and witness the pardon and release of the king of Paekche. [[Empress Saimei]] traveled to Kyushu in person in the first month of [[661]] to oversee the strengthening of defenses against a possible Tang/Silla invasion; the imprisoned envoys returned from China in the 5th month.

The confined Japanese envoys were brought to [[Luoyang]] to attend and witness the pardon and release of the king of Paekche. [[Empress Saimei]] traveled to Kyushu in person in the first month of [[661]] to oversee the strengthening of defenses against a possible Tang/Silla invasion; the imprisoned envoys returned from China in the 5th month.