1596 state leaders - Events of 1597 - 1598 state leaders - State leaders by year

Asia

• China (Ming Dynasty) - Wanli, Emperor of China (1573-1620)
• Japan
  • Monarch - Go-Yozei, Emperor of Japan (1586-1611)
  • Regent (Kampaku) - Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Sessho and Kampaku (1585-1598)
• Korea (Joseon Dynasty) - Seonjo , King of Joseon (1567-1608)
• Mughal Empire - Akbar, Mughal Emperor (1556-1605)

Europe

• Denmark - Christian IV, King of Denmark (1588-1648)
• England - Elizabeth I, Queen of England (1558-1603)
• France - Henry IV, King of France (1589-1610)
• Holy Roman Empire - Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor (1576-1612)
• Spain and Portugal - Philip II (1556-1598)
• Sweden - Sigismund, King of Sweden (1592-1599)
• Venice - Marino Grimani , Doge of Venice (1595-1606)

Middle East and North Africa

• Ottoman Empire - Mehmed III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (1595-1603)
• Safavid Empire - Abbas I Shah of Iran (1587-1629)