The Ming Dynasty also needed to have relations with the ruler of Japan, who was able to crack down on Japanese pirates, but they rejected the offer of trade with regard to the domestic opinion for the restoration of Confucianism, on the grounds that the Ashikaga clan was not the ruler of Japan but only a 'shogun,' or the vassal of the party of Jimyoin, who was considered by the Ming Dynasty as the name of the political opponent of 'Ryokai' (Imperial Prince Kanenaga) over the succession of the imperial throne.
明朝側としても倭寇を取り締まる能力のある日本の支配者との通交の必要はあったものの、儒教復興が叫ばれていた当時、足利氏が日本の君主ではなく「持明」（持明院統の天皇の事。明朝は「持明」を「良懐」（懐良親王）と日本の王位を争っている人物名と解釈していた）の臣下の「将軍」にすぎないことを理由に、通交を拒否していた。