What was the reason for Japan attacking pearl harbor?

Answer 1

It has been debated for a long time exactly why the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. Obviously the Japanese knew they could not take on the American empire and destroying an important (but by no means the only) harbour would not really cripple the US. However, when the Japanese did bomb Pearl Harbour they were not in a good position. Though they were gaining countries in South-East-Asia it was coming at a great cost. Suggested answers for the bombing include- Cripple US navy Distract war on mainland Europe Suicide mission Serious underestimation of US strength New point to attack (allies surounded by all sides)

Answer 2

in the 20's and 30's china began to collapse as communist revolution began to rip its old empire apart four imperial powers, England, France, russia ana America had colonies in the area and were prepared to fight each other for the spoils. russia attacked first striking into the north.

Japan never taken seriously by the west realised that they were about to become surrounded by western powers and were destined to remain in their economic stranglehold unless they struck out. they invaded mainland china and took thre capital nanking.

the rise of Hitler meant that 3 of theese rival powers suddenly turned their resources and attention away from the far east leaving their colonies vulnerable to attack. in their abscence America began a huge military buildup in the pacific and started beating the war drums against japan now only two powers were really present in this theatre of war. most of the build up was concentrated in the American colony of the Philippines (just south of mainland japan) threatening japans security as japan continued taking swathes of china. with a huge force of naval reenforcments placed in Americas colony hawai at Pearl Harbour.

America was resolutly staying out of the war in Europe and made no secret of its anti japaneese sentiment, even changing domestic policy to make it harder for ja[paneese Americans to wrk in the states. America had since the spanish/American war (1898) been expanding its colonys in the carribean and pacific in an attempt to further safeguard its domestic and economic security. It was however unwilling to declare war without a galvanising event (like the bombing of a vessel in harbour - the event that started the spanish/American war in cuba) so they began conspicuos military build up in pearl harbour.

Japan decided that it wanted to take the Philippines to safeguard its own security while it turned its attentions towards the british colonies of burma, Malaysia, Singapore and borneo in a massive blitz-krieg style attack.

so it wanted to cripple the Americans right at the start to buy themselves time.

Japan attacked pearl harbour first to stop America reenforcing the Philippines. the attack launched was a suprise attack although war was supposed to be declared 30 minutes before the attack on pearl harbour and it was successful the American navt was temprarily crippled and MacArthur was pushed out of the Philippines and mainland south East Asia was taken immediatly afterwards.

the attack , which America had forewarning of (they deciphered the japaneese code) galvanised American public opinion towards involvement in tha war and gave them the excuse they were looking for.

So in short japan attacked pearl harbour in pre emptive self defence in order to stop America reenforcing the Philippines yet further.

i hope this answers your question somewhat.

Answer 3

This is the kind of question that has its answers written in bold in whatever middle school textbook you're reading, so my answers probably won't be what they want, but they are the right ones! Japan's main goal was to destroy the capabilities of the US to make naval war in the pacific. In particular, they sought to destroy our air craft carriers. With this done, then they could focus on the subjugation of China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and as much of South Eat Asia as they could get away with. Then, when our war machine had kicked in and we were ready for battle, they could bargain from a position of strength. The text may say that there were more reasons, like the Japanese wanting to punish us for not favoring them in the divvying up of the spoils in the Russo-Japanese war, or our embargo against them, but they are insignificant to the reason I have given.

Answer 4

they thought that the u.s was gonna join da war soon enough anyway