English: In 1609, after having entered into formal relations with Japan, the VOC was allowed to establish a trading factory on the Japanese island of Hirado. Jacques Specx was put in charge of the post, but he almost immediately ran into difficulties. He received lilttle practical help from the VOC as they were forced to use all their available means to control the Moluccas. Nevertheless, Specx succeeded in establishing good relations with the Japanese authorities as well as with merchants and local Chinese smugglers. He learned the Japanese language and married a Japanese woman. In the years 1629-1632, Specx was Governor-General, the highest authority in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).