Why did the bombing of Pearl Harbor start?

Answer 1

Before WWII even began, the US and Japan were watching each other very closely as Imperialism pushed itself into the 20th century. The Japanese had invaded many areas like French Indochina and Malaysia, this made the US develop contingency plans in the event that the colonies of the US would be victim to the Japanese war machine.

The Japanese were very aware of this and bombed Pearl Harbor because of this. Sure no one say the oil Americans cut off before the attack, but the bigger picture lies the ambition behind the Japanese foreign policy, their interests as actors on the world state: conquering as much as it could without any formidable enemy in the way. Pearl Harbor was perfect for attack as important fleet units were presented there and needed to be destroyed as the water was very important in the pacific theater. If the US could not move, then who would challenge the Japanese fleet? The Japanese thought the attack could damage American morale as the attack was preemptive in that it was destructive, but hidden till it happened.