Why did Japan Attack Pearl Harbor?

The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941, was a strategic move driven by complex geopolitical and economic factors. Looking at the colonizers like the European countries, Japan was also expanding at a rapid rate to make its dream of ‘Greater Asia’ come true. The United States, concerned about Japan's aggression, imposed economic sanctions and an embargo on essential resources, especially oil, which further exacerbated Japan's predicament.

In response to these challenges and aiming to secure the resources needed for its expansionist ambitions, Japan decided to launch a surprise military strike on the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where a significant portion of the U.S. naval power was supposed to be stationed. The intent was to cripple the naval power, giving Japan a window of opportunity to solidify its territorial gains in Southeast Asia without immediate interference from the United States.

The attack on Pearl Harbor, while achieving initial success for Japan, ultimately led to the United States' entry into World War II, as it galvanized public sentiment and united the nation against the Axis powers.