what if Buddhist movements renaissance Japan never got so powerful, political and militant? Could that have a knock on effect of making Japanese rulers less fearful of Christianity and routine interaction with Europeans?
Did also upset the social order a bit. Popular among both lords and peasents. Much easier to keep power when you kept the Mikado as a high priest and forced them to abdicate as soon as they were old enough to not have a regency.Wasn't the issue with Japan and Christianity less existing Japanese religion, more the fear that the Spanish would use Christianity as a fifth column to subvert the country?
Did also upset the social order a bit. Popular among both lords and peasents. Much easier to keep power when you kept the Mikado as a high priest and forced them to abdicate as soon as they were old enough to not have a regency.
Still, Christinaity was more popular in the South I think, so the Shogun would need to make sure the money went to him and not those actually doing the trading, so that they don't get the advantage. Considering the To,Uganda immediately back stabbed and took the land of their own allies after gaining power, I can only see them not doing that here out of thoughts they would lose.Point.
Mind you, we don't have to have both the OP points. The Japanese could remain closed to Christianity but be more open to trade with the West. Maybe wider trade with powers like the Dutch, who favoured money over proselytising...