Empress Suiko was the first reigning empress of Japan, ascending to the throne in 593 AD. She was a member of the Yamato dynasty and ruled during a time of significant cultural and political change. Her reign is noted for the introduction of Buddhism to Japan, which had a lasting impact on Japanese society. Under Empress Suiko, the government began to adopt more centralized and organized structures, influenced by Chinese models. She supported the development of the Taika Reforms, which aimed to strengthen imperial authority and improve governance. Her leadership helped lay the foundation for future Japanese emperors.