[HereInTheHeartland]

"Their options were striking back or withering away."

You've got to kidding.
Your statement essentially says that their attack on Pearl Harbor was justified.

The Japanese were an aggressive, barbaric culture at the time. What they did in Nanking, Bataan and many other places is the way to measure their way of thinking at the time.

[Buffalo Head]

"You've got to kidding." No, I am not. Just supplying their view to those who have not studied history.

"Your statement essentially says that their attack on Pearl Harbor was justified." In their eyes, it was completely justified, albeit risky. "

The Japanese were an aggressive, barbaric culture at the time. What they did in Nanking, Bataan and many other places is the way to measure their way of thinking at the time." Absolutely! That is why it is best to contemplate the potential consequences of starting a fight (or not starting a fight). Just don't pretend that we didn't start the fight between Japan and the USA.