[A_perfect_lady]

Before 1950 the USA was a loved and respected country.

Didn't do the folks at Pearl Harbor much good, did it?

[jpsb]

The USA stopped selling raw materials to Japan. We were very unhappy with thier invasion of China and the ruthless conduct of same. Japan faced a dificult choice. War with USA or give up dreams of dominating the Pacfic Rim and East Asia. The decsion had very little to do with liking us. However downed American pilots and solders were protected by locals. Seems being a liked Aerican was (unluike today) a big help in person to person relations.