Tanuma Okitsugu

Tanuma Okitsugu was appointed roju under Shogun Tokugawa Ieharu. He became the dominant figure in the shogunate, implementing policies that promoted commerce and trade, breaking with the traditional agrarian focus.

Tanuma encouraged the growth of merchant guilds, reduced restrictions on trade, and promoted the development of domestic industries. His policies led to economic expansion and increased government revenue but also caused inflation and social disruption.

Tanuma implemented a series of reforms including land surveys to increase tax revenue, promotion of foreign trade through Nagasaki, and encouragement of new industries like mining and silk production. These reforms modernized the economy but faced opposition from conservative samurai.

Upon Shogun Ieharu's death, Tanuma was forced to resign by his conservative rivals led by Matsudaira Sadanobu. His policies were reversed, and he was placed under house arrest, marking the end of his reformist era.