r/AskHistorians•
K-jun1117

After the US oil sanction towards Japan in 1941, was Japan certain that the US would declare war on them in the near future?

The Japanese declaration of war to the US and the attack on Pearl Habour was the result of the US oil sanction.

So, based on this, was the Japanese leadership certain that the US would attack Japan in the near future?

Attacking the US did not mean that the US would allow to sell Petrols to Japan, again.

Moreover, despite the US opposition against the Axis Powers, and FDR's strong will to join the war, the overall US opinion was to maintain the neutrality in 1941.

I think if this was not the reason to attack the US, then it was even more foolish since they just created a literal big enemy for no reason and that big enemy did not really intend to go on a war.

Posted Jun 11, 2026, 9:20 PM UTC

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