Abstract: China and Japan have begun to contact since the Qin and Han Dynasties.According to historical evidence,the exchange is mainly about political system during the Sui and Tang Dynasties,and during the Song and Yuan Dynasties,the exchange is mainly about religion and culture.Economy and trade are the major forms of exchange in the Ming Dynasty,mainly with Japan paying tribute to the Ming Dynasty.Although this tributary trade has promoted cultural exchange between the two countries,Japan has gained more from it.With this trade,threat from Japan to China’s southeast coast is somewhat lessened,and the vanity of the Ming Imperial Court is satisfied.However,the reward,regardless economic effect,has weakened Ming’s national power,and aroused domestic contradictions.

Key words: the Ming Dynasty, China and Japan, tributary trade