During the 15th century, the Western religion of Christianity began to spread across the world under the influence of European powers such as Portugal and Spain. In 1549, the small island nation of Japan was first exposed to Christianity in the form of Jesuit missionaries, among them the wealthy Saint Francis Xavier of Spain. Japan, until that time, had always been an isolated country and this also applied to its traditional cultural values, avoiding outside influences without a second thought. However, through Xavier's efforts, Christianity was able to create a solid foundation despite its foreignness. From its arrival point in 1549, Christianity grew peacefully and gradually, until 1597, when Japan's de facto military leader, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ordered the crucifixion of some twenty-six Christians in a fit of rage. anger (Spae 5). From there, the Japanese government began a series of persecutions against Christianity and its followers in Japan, ultimately culminating in a bloody rebellion and near-massacre, in the providence of Shimabara in 1639, and the eventual banning of everything Christian alongside re-isolation. of the country. This begs the question: why has the Christian religion aroused such resentment from the Japanese government? To answer this question, one must understand the circumstances and history of foreign tolerance in Japan, while also being aware of the political situation in the country at the time. By learning and analyzing these social and political factors, one can realize that Christianity was used as a political scapegoat by the shogunate [military] government for superior means. Furthermore by analyzing this statement, an explanation...... middle of paper ......d citizens. The attack on Christianity was chosen due to its foreign nature, as well as the fact that it was a minor nuisance, posed no real political threat, and could easily be manipulated into becoming a terrible monster. Once the Bakafu created this image of bad Christians and dispelled it, Japanese citizens were brought to have fervent trust and admiration for their leaders. Events during this period help explain why Japan would later become an ultra-nationalist country. Japan's military administration managed to attract such concentration and morale among its citizens through excellent manipulation of foreign ideas. And from this initial entrenchment of anti-foreigner and blind belief in government, would come the birth of the infamous patriotic and ultra-militarist Japan of the 20th century modern era..