What was the earliest point that China was familiar with both Japan and England? -

I m writing a book, and it s very important to the plot. The character has to travel from Japan to China, then from China to England. I know a bit from Honors (I m only a ninth grader, you see) that Japan was isolated from China for some time after the Chinese discovery of Japan, but I need the approximate year when at least a few people would be going to and from China and Japan and England and China, but fewer English people going to Japan, and vice versa. All help is greatly appreciated!

China records of Japan was about 500 AD, It s records showing england is more or less around 1600.----brought in by missionaries. Good luck on your book.