Feudalism began developing in Japan in the 1100s as central government and imperial control weakened. Power shifted to regional noble families and warlords called daimyo who controlled land and hired samurai armies for protection. Japanese society became highly militarized with samurai following a code of honor as they pledged loyalty to their daimyo in exchange for land. This feudal system dominated Japan until the 1800s and helped unify the country under shogun rule.