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Throughout this entire period then, Shotoku, despite being called Prince, was in fact the de-facto ruler of Japan, and continued to be so for three decades.
After prince Shotoku's death in 662, the Soga clan's ambitious nature eventually lead to a coup against their stewardship of Imperial affairs.
Emperor Kotoku was, like Shotoku, a devout Buddhist, and removed the exclusive control of sponsorship from the Soga clan, placing it then under government sponsorship directly.
Shotoku served as regent for his aunt, the empress Suiko (ruled 592-628), who was enthroned after the murder of her predecessor, Sushun (it was during Suiko's reign that the term tenno, or emperor, was adopted).
Shotoku's chief achievement in foreign relations was the opening of relations with the Sui dynasty (581-618) of China.
Prince Shotoku opened relations with Sui on an equal basis, supposedly shocking the Chinese emperor by addressing him as the ruler of the nation "where the sun sets," while he was the ruler of the nation "where the sun rises." Envoys were exchanged by the two countries.
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