In both China and Japan which group often wielded a large amount of power and control?

In both China and Japan, the aristocratic or noble class often wielded significant power and control. In China, this was particularly evident during the imperial dynasties, where the scholar-officials or gentry played a crucial role in governance and society. In Japan, the samurai class held considerable influence, especially during the feudal period, where they were the military nobility and retained political power under the shogunate system. Both groups shaped their respective nations' political landscapes and cultural developments.