The son of the late Emperor Yomei, Prince Shotoku Taishi of the Soga clan, is appointed regent in 593.

Soga has gone to great lengths to promote Buddhism in Japan.

Buddhism becomes firmly established in Japan under the patronage of Prince Shotoku, who in 593 builds the Shitennoji Temple at Osaka.

Many pagodas begin to be constructed, but in contrast to Chinese examples, Japanese Buddhist shrines, meant to fit into the traditionally small Japanese monasteries, are relatively simple sanctuaries consisting of the pagoda to shelter relics, and an assembly hall, or kondo, for worship of the Buddha's image.

Empress Suiko issues the "Flourishing Three Treasures Edict", officially recognizing the practice of Buddhism in Japan.

She begins diplomatic relations with the Sui Dynasty.

Suiko, whose long reign will be a pivotal period in which Buddhism influences the development and culture of Japan, is the first of what will be several examples in Japanese history where a woman is chosen to accede to the throne to avert a power struggle.

She is the first female ruler and the first to receive official recognition from China.

Although political power during Suiko's reign is widely viewed as having been wielded by Prince Shōtoku and Soga no Umako, Suiko is far from powerless.

The mere fact that she survives and her reign endures suggests she has significant political skills.

Priscus, commander-in-chief in Thrace, defeats the Slavic tribes and Gepids on imperial territory south of the Danube.

He crosses the river to fight in the uncharted swamps and forests of modern-day Wallachia.

Maurice orders the general to spend the winter with his troops on the northern Danube bank, but …

…Priscus disobeys the emperor's order and retreats to the port city of Odessus (Varna) on the Black Sea Coast.

Ariulf next assists Arechis I of Benevento in besieging Naples, another important city of Imperial Italy.

The Anglification of southern Britain, although largely a process of war and conquest, has also been one of colonization, and Celtic elements remain in a fusion of peoples, most notably in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex.

Wessex after Cealwin’s death in 593 falls under the control of other Saxon kingdoms.

As regent, Shotoku, whose Soga clan has become Buddhist, works to disseminate his religion, constructing several Buddhist temples, most notably Nara’s Horyuji Temple.

The Horyu-ji’s Golden Hall is completed as the shrine for two important images associated with Emperor Shotoku (the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, the Horyuji is also believed to be the world’s oldest surviving wooden structure).

Emperor Wen reduces taxes due to an overflowing abundance of food and silk in the governmental stores.

He sends messengers around central China, redistributing land to give the poor farming land.

He also sends expeditions against the expanding Turks on the Central Asian steppe and exacts tribute from states as far east as Korea and as far south as Annam.

From 594, Emperor Wen repairs and expands sections of the Great Wall in the northwest, which is undertaken by using forced labor.

During the years of construction and reconstruction, thousands of civilians will die in the effort.

The Slavs again invade the imperial provinces of Moesia and Macedonia; during their pillage the towns of Aquis, Scupi and Zaldapa in Dobruja are destroyed.

In the autumn of 593, Maurice replaces Priscus for disobeying orders.

He installs his inexperienced brother Peter as commander-in-chief in charge of the war against the Avars.