Japan and European conduct in China

How much did Japan know about European treatment of China in Adams's time?

Adams's lifetime fell in an early phase of European activity in East Asia, before the harsher treatment of China associated with later periods. The extent of Japanese knowledge is left unresolved.

Japan was already trading overseas during Adams's lifetime. European conduct toward China had not yet reached the severity associated with later periods. Spanish behaviour still qualifies any description of Europeans as being on their best behaviour. This chronological comparison leaves the extent of Japanese knowledge unresolved.