豐臣秀吉攻打朝鮮（即萬曆朝鮮之役，1592–1598年）的背後原因，既包含其對外擴張的野心，也涉及國內政治與權力結構的需求。從歷史背景來看，這場戰爭並非偶發事件，而是秀吉統一日本後，為實現更大戰略目標而採取的積極行動。

首先，征服中國的野心是核心動機。1590年豐臣秀吉完成對日本全國的大一統，手中掌握大量武士與資源。他將目光投向當時富饒且人口眾多的明朝，認為這是日本下一步擴張的必經之路。然而，日本與中國之間隔著朝鮮半島，朝鮮既是地理上必經的「跳板」，也是通往中國的戰略前沿。秀吉要求朝鮮提供軍隊通行與補給支援，但朝鮮因歷史上與明朝保持宗藩關係，拒絕了他的要求。朝鮮的拒絕直接成為秀吉發動入侵的導火線。

其次，國內政治與功臣利益分封也是重要因素。日本經歷長期戰國時代，許多大名在戰亂中立下軍功，但因土地有限無法完全獎賞，這使得國內潛在不滿與武士鬥志需要轉化。對外征戰提供一個出路：將這些武士和他們的勢力投向海外，通過分封征服的土地來安撫和穩固國內統治，避免內部動亂。此舉同時也鞏固秀吉對統一日本後的權力掌控。

第三，日本自身資源有限，肥沃土地和財富相對匱乏。海外擴張不僅是政治需求，也是一種經濟策略，藉由征服朝鮮並進一步入侵中國，秀吉希望獲取更多土地、資源與財富，以支撐日本的經濟和軍事力量。

最後，個人權力與帝國夢想也是不可忽視的動機。豐臣秀吉追求的是一個以日本為中心的東亞帝國，他希望透過征服行動將自身權勢推向頂點，建立歷史上空前的威望與影響力。對他而言，戰爭不僅是國家行動，更是個人聲望與歷史定位的象徵。

戰爭過程可以概述如下：第一次入侵於1592年發起，日軍迅速攻陷朝鮮多個地區，但明朝出兵支援，戰線陷入膠著，日軍最終退守半島南部。第二次入侵於1597年發生，和談破裂後日軍再度大舉進攻，但明朝與朝鮮聯軍展現頑強抵抗。最終，隨著1598年豐臣秀吉病逝，日軍全線撤退，結束這場耗費巨大的戰爭。這場戰爭對朝鮮帶來長期破壞，也暴露日本在海外擴張上後勤與戰略的限制，成為東亞歷史上一段重要而深刻的軍事事件。

The invasion of Korea by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, known as the Imjin War (1592–1598), was driven by a combination of expansionist ambitions and domestic political considerations. Historically, this war was not an isolated incident but rather a calculated move by Hideyoshi after unifying Japan, aimed at achieving larger strategic goals.

Foremost among the motivations was Hideyoshi’s ambition to conquer China. By 1590, having completed the unification of Japan, Hideyoshi controlled vast resources and a large army of samurai. He set his sights on the wealthy and populous Ming dynasty, viewing it as the next logical target for expansion. However, Japan’s path to China lay across the Korean Peninsula, which served as both a strategic bridge and a geographic barrier. Hideyoshi demanded that Korea provide passage for troops and logistical support, but Korea, maintaining its historical tributary relationship with the Ming dynasty, refused. This refusal became the immediate catalyst for Hideyoshi’s invasion.

Domestic political factors and the distribution of rewards to retain loyalty also played a crucial role. After prolonged civil wars during the Sengoku period, many daimyō (feudal lords) had distinguished themselves militarily but lacked sufficient land or wealth as rewards. This created potential unrest and required a mechanism to channel the martial energy of these warriors. An overseas campaign provided a solution: deploying samurai abroad, conquering land, and granting fiefs to maintain internal stability, thereby consolidating Hideyoshi’s control over post-unification Japan.

Resource scarcity in Japan was another contributing factor. Fertile land and wealth were limited, making overseas expansion an attractive strategy to acquire additional land, resources, and economic power to support Japan’s growing military and administrative needs.

Personal ambition and imperial vision were also significant motivators. Hideyoshi aspired to establish a Japan-centered East Asian empire and sought to elevate his authority to its historical zenith. For him, war was not merely a national enterprise but a means to achieve personal glory and secure a lasting historical legacy.

The war unfolded in two major invasions. The first invasion in 1592 saw Japanese forces quickly capturing large parts of Korea, but Ming China intervened militarily, resulting in a stalemate and forcing the Japanese to retreat to the southern peninsula. The second invasion in 1597 occurred after peace talks broke down, but Japanese forces again faced fierce resistance from the combined Korean and Ming armies. Ultimately, with Hideyoshi’s death in 1598, Japanese forces fully withdrew, ending the costly campaign.

The war caused long-term devastation in Korea and revealed the logistical and strategic limitations of Japanese overseas expansion. It remains a significant and deeply consequential military episode in East Asian history.