Why Japan invaded Korea in the Imjin War

The Imjin War gave each power different strengths: Japan had experienced troops and effective handheld firearms, Korea had cannon-armed ships, and Ming China had broader technological and material power. Toyotomi Hideyoshi also needed to occupy the large military establishment created by Japanese unification. Korea was the first target and the intended route toward Ming China, while Japan's weak naval tradition left its overseas army dependent on vulnerable transports. Battle dates can shift with the use of lunar or Gregorian calendars. Yi's later heroic reputation can also obscure commanders whose failures reflected severe shortages rather than simple incompetence.