Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor aimed to secure resources and establish dominance but miscalculated the U.S. response, leading to its defeat in World War II.
Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was a strategic move driven by a complex set of factors. Japan sought to secure access to vital resources in Southeast Asia, such as oil, rubber, and minerals, to fuel its expansionist ambitions.
The U.S. embargo on these resources in response to Japan's aggression in China further heightened tensions. The attack on Pearl Harbor was intended to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet and buy Japan time to establish its Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
While Japanese leaders anticipated the likelihood of war with the U.S., they may not have anticipated the full extent of the American response. The attack, however, did propel the United States into World War II and ultimately led to Japan's defeat. The decision reflected a calculated risk by Japanese leaders, driven by their geopolitical and economic objectives.