answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

To completely cripple and destroy the Pacific Fleet. In fact, they would have succeeded had they launched a second wave, however, Admiral Yamamoto felt that surprise was lost and did not want the US Fleet to engage his fleet, as surely his carriers would have been destroyed. Had he lost his carriers, the Japanese would have been unable to win the war effort. It was entirely luck that saved the United States from utter destruction. Our oil fields were untouched, and had they been targeted, the fleet, indeed the entire war effort would have been lost.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: 5 What did the Japanese hope to gain by their attack on Pearl Harbor?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Military History

What was the purpose of FDRS radio addresses to the American people after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

To gain support and approval for the war effort.


How and why did the Philippines get involved in World War 2?

Before World War 2, the Philippines was a possession of the United States of America. The militarist Japanese government of the time wanted to expand Japanese control and influence in east Asia under what they called "the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere". As the US began blocking Japanese access to steel and other necessary raw materials, they planned to conquer the colonies of European countries at war with Germany or already conquered by Germany and Italy to gain access to oil, rubber and other strategic materials. They expected the US to oppose that action and so Japan needed to weaken US military posture in east Asia and the western Pacific. They did this by attacking Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and other US possessions in the Pacific. That included invading the Philippines in December 1941, just ten hours after their attack on Pearl Harbor. That is what got the Philippines involved in World War 2.


Is it japans fault that America contributed in world war 2?

No, Japan was at war with China. Despite being a military superpower, their war with China was using up their resources. During that time, most of their resources especially oil were coming from the US. The US did not approve of Japanese aggression in China and they declared an embargo on Japan. This means they would stop supplying Japan with raw materials. So where would Japan get their resources to continue the war now? The Japanese High Command carefully discussed this and came up with the conclusion that the Dutch East Indies would be the best place to gain resources. But they knew that an attack on the Dutch East Indies would probably bring the US into the war. So they had to find a way to prevent the US from fighting with them until they conquered the Dutch East Indies. That's when they planned Pearl Harbor. The goal of Pearl Harbor was to disable the American fleet for a few months to give them enough time to conquer the Dutch East Indies and to absorb its resources to finance their war in China and the US once the US' navy was rebuilt. Japan had to do do what it had to do.


Why did Japanese general tojo want to gain control of land in northern china?

To obtain Natural Resources that would strengthen the Japanese military


Why did Japan target the US in World War 2?

The greatest known act of war down to the Ubited States down by Japan would have to be Pearl Harbor. Think of it like this: imagine Japan is your average, happy-go-lucky 5 year old child. Imagine the US as a medium-sized fire-ant hill. Now how does this scenario usually play out? The kid knocks over the anthill and starts jumping up and down on top of it. And about two minutes later, he starts wailing because he's getting attacked by a swarm of deadly insects. The next day, the kid knows not to go within 10 feet of the anthill, which is now larger, stronger, and meaner. Obviously, the time isn't to scale, but I hope you get the idea.

Related questions

Did the Japanese gain or lose territory after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

If you mean because of the attack on Pearl Harbor, then no. But Korea broke away from Japan during WWII.


Why was there no declaration before pearl harbor attack?

There was no declaration before the attack on Pearl Harbor because the Japanese government believed a surprise attack would cripple the United States Pacific Fleet and prevent them from interfering with Japanese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. It was seen as a strategic move to gain an advantage in the early stages of the war.


What did the US have to gain from the Pearl Harbor Attack?

The issue was self defense.


What did the Japanese hope to gain from the Pearl Harbor attack?

The Japanese wanted to gain land, and therefore natural resources and power during World War II. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor so that they could gain control of Hawaii and expand their empire.


How successful and for what reasons was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

The attack on Pearl Harbor occurred in an attempt by the Japanese to gain control of as much land as possible. The attack itself was very successful by damaging the ships in harbor. The one major point that was not expected was that none of the Aircraft carriers were in the harbor during the attack. Had they been, the US Navy would have nearly been wiped out according to information I have read. The information I have has come from various websites and books like "Day of Infamy" by Walter Lord.


Who was the leader of pearl harbor during the attack from the Japanese?

The US Army commander was Lt. Gen. Walter Short. The Navy commander was Admiral Husband E. Kimmel. Overall commander for the Japanese was Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Yamamoto was also the man who came up with the idea for the Peral Harbor attack. He did not want to go to war with the Americans, but thought that if the Japanese could knock out the American fleet early the Japanese might gain enough time to take Pacific islands and construct a defensive perimeter the Americans couldn't break. Admiral Chuichi Nagumo commanded the carrier strike force that launched the Pearl Harbor attack.


Did japan gain territory or lose territory after the attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7 1942?

japan lost territories


Why did the Japanese attack Sydney Harbor in World War 2?

Australia was in the war on the side of the Allies, making them the enemies of the Japanese, who were trying to gain control of Asia.


What was the purpose of FDR's address to Congress after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

To persuade them to declare war explanation (Apex)


What did japan hope to gain by attacking pearl harbor and what are cause and effect?

they wanted to win


What was the purpose of FDRS radio addresses to the American people after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

To gain support and approval for the war effort.


Why did Japan attack when they did?

The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The Japanese attacked the US for two reasons: 1. the US was a growing Pacific Power, meaning it was gaining more and more influence and land in the Pacific, which threatened Japan and it's imperialistic ego. The Japanese wanted to establish an empire over all of Asia and the Pacific. 2. the US cut off all trade to Japan because of Japan's rising aggression. These American items were crucial to Japan. Also, the attack on Pearl Harbor was not for the Japanese to gain Hawaii or to declare war on the US. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a message from Japan to the US saying "this is as far as you're allowed to go". Meaning, this was the farthest extent of the Pacific that the Japanese would peacefully let the US expand, as the Pacific was to be left for Japan. However, the US did not like this and then declared war, entering World War II. They were eventually able to make Japan surrender in 1945. At this point, item No. 2 does not lend itself to providing a motive for attacking Pearl Harbor. If item No. 2 was correct then not only would these "items" of trade never get to Japan, it would only give Japan another "headache" even as much as it would seem the Pacific Ocean afforded Japan any protection. Of course, it was a "given" that the Philippines would be lost to Japan.