Final answer:
Toyotomi Hideyoshi implemented changes to tax laws in Japan, which had a mixed effect on society. While it improved taxation control and consolidation of power for the ruling class, it also burdened peasants and reinforced the social hierarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Toyotomi Hideyoshi made significant changes to tax laws in Japan during his rule. He implemented a system of systematic registration of households for tax collection and military duty, surveyed farmland and divided it into standard-sized fields, and established a new legal code regulating family property and other matters. These changes allowed for better control and organization of taxation in Japan.
The effect of Hideyoshi's tax reforms on society was multifaceted. On one hand, it improved the government's ability to collect taxes and maintain control over the population. It also facilitated the consolidation of power by the ruling class. However, these changes also resulted in increased burdens on the peasants, who were already struggling under feudal obligations. The strict taxation system and regulations on landownership further reinforced the social hierarchy and maintained the power of the ruling elites.