JAPANESE EXPANSION

REASONS / CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO JAPANESE EXPANSION

>> Western Economic Boycotts

In 1939 the United States end the 1911 Treaty of Commerce with Japan in an effort to force the latter to stop aggression in China.   In July1940 supplies of scrap iron and oil to Japan was limited.  Therefore Japan's war machinery was affected.   At the same time, the United States and the Allied Powers increased their aids to China.   By 1941 a total embargo was imposed on Japan.  This had profound effects : Japan's stockpile could not last more than 2 years.   To withdraw was considered impossible by the military as it would be a 'national loss of face'.  At the same time, negotiations with the US to reverse .American decisions failed.  Hence the only alternative left was was to sail south to capture the resources of Southeast Asia.

(Source: lecture notes)