What did Yamato rulers govern before emperors?

Before the establishment of the imperial system, the Yamato rulers governed the early Japanese state, which was characterized by a clan-based structure. These rulers were part of the Yamato clan, believed to be the first to unify various tribes and regions of Japan around the 3rd century CE. They established centralized authority, integrating local leaders and promoting agricultural development, which laid the groundwork for the future imperial lineage. The transition to the title of emperor occurred as the Yamato clan solidified its power and influence over the archipelago.