Answer: There are several reasons why the Japanese chose to attack Pearl Harbor instead of the mainland United States:
Strategic location: Pearl Harbor was a strategic location for the US Navy in the Pacific, and an attack on it would severely cripple the US Pacific fleet, leaving the mainland US vulnerable to further Japanese attacks.
Oil embargo: The US had imposed an oil embargo on Japan in response to its invasion of China, which had severely impacted Japan's military and economic capabilities. The attack on Pearl Harbor was seen as a way to disable the US Pacific fleet and gain access to the oil-rich territories of Southeast Asia.
Surprise attack: The Japanese hoped to catch the US off guard with a surprise attack, giving them an advantage in the early stages of the war.
Revenge: The Japanese saw the US as a major obstacle to their imperial ambitions in Asia, and attacking Pearl Harbor was seen as a way to strike back at the US for interfering in their affairs.
Overall, the attack on Pearl Harbor was a calculated move by the Japanese to weaken the US military and advance their own strategic interests in the Pacific.
Step-by-step explanation: