the tokugawa shogunate had, for some time, planned to invade the philippines in order to eradicate spanish expansionism in asia, and its support of christians within japan. in november 1637 it notified nicolas couckebacker, the head of the dutch east india company in japan, of its intentions. about 10,000 samurai were prepared for the expedition, and the dutch agreed to provide four warships and two yachts to support the japanese ships against spanish galleons. the plans were cancelled at the last minute with the advent of the christian shimabara rebellion in japan in december 1637.