Some history worth remembering:
Oil was the primary strategic driver of Japan’s entry into World War II, as the nation lacked domestic petroleum reserves and relied on imports for over 90% of its needs. Before the war, 80% of Japan’s oil came from the United States, making it the critical lifeline for its industrial economy and military, particularly its navy.
The U.S. oil embargo in July 1941 effectively strangled Japan’s supply after it occupied southern French Indochina, leaving the country with only about one year of strategic reserves. Facing the choice between withdrawing from China or securing new resources by force, Japanese leadership chose the latter, aiming to seize the oil fields of the Dutch East Indies and British Borneo.
To prevent U.S. interference with this expansion, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, intending to cripple the Pacific Fleet and secure a temporary strategic advantage while consolidating its resource acquisitions in Southeast Asia.
To prevent U.S. interference with this expansion, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, intending to cripple the Pacific Fleet and secure a temporary strategic advantage while consolidating its resource acquisitions in Southeast Asia.
Don’t forget on December 7th, they attacked a bunch of places in addition to Pearl Harbor: The Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Malaya and Hong Kong.