Editing Axis powers (section)

====History====

[[File:Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces in Battle of Shanghai 1937.jpg|thumb|[[Imperial Japanese Navy|IJN]] [[Special Naval Landing Forces]] armed with the [[Type 11 Light Machine Gun]] during the [[Battle of Shanghai]]]]

[[File:Shokaku Pearl Harbor 1st Wave.jpg|thumb|[[Mitsubishi A6M Zero]] fighter aircraft and other aircraft preparing for takeoff on the aircraft carrier ''[[Japanese aircraft carrier Shōkaku|Shōkaku]]'' on 7 December 1941, for the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]]]]

[[File:Greater Asian Co-prosperity sphere.png|thumb|left|{{legend|#ee0303|[[Empire of Japan]]}}{{legend|#e65e5e|Japanese puppet states}}{{legend|#b90303|Thailand (cooperated with Japan)}} All are members of the [[Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere]].]]

The [[Empire of Japan]], a constitutional monarchy with [[Hirohito]] as its Emperor, was the principal Axis power in [[Asia-Pacific|Asia and the Pacific]]. Under the emperor were a political cabinet and the [[Imperial General Headquarters]], with two chiefs of staff. By 1945 the Emperor of Japan was more than a symbolic leader; he played a major role in devising a strategy to keep himself on the throne.<ref>Herbert P. Bix, ''Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan'' (2001) ch. 13</ref>

At its peak, Japan's [[Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere]] included [[Manchuria]], [[Inner Mongolia]], large parts of China, Malaysia, [[French Indochina]], the [[Dutch East Indies]], the Philippines, [[Burma]], a small part of India, and various Pacific Islands in the central Pacific.

As a result of the internal discord and economic downturn of the 1920s, [[Japanese militarism|militaristic elements]] set Japan on a path of expansionism. As the Japanese home islands lacked natural resources needed for growth, Japan planned to establish hegemony in Asia and become self-sufficient by acquiring territories with abundant natural resources. Japan's expansionist policies alienated it from other countries in the [[League of Nations]] and by the mid-1930s brought it closer to Germany and Italy, who had both pursued similar expansionist policies. Cooperation between Japan and Germany began with the [[Anti-Comintern Pact]], in which the two countries agreed to ally to challenge any attack by the Soviet Union.

Japan entered into conflict [[Second Sino-Japanese War|against the Chinese]] in 1937. The Japanese invasion and occupation of parts of China resulted in numerous atrocities against civilians, such as the [[Nanjing Massacre]] and the [[Three Alls Policy]]. The Japanese also [[Soviet–Japanese border conflicts|fought skirmishes]] with Soviet–[[Mongolian People's Republic|Mongolian]] forces in [[Manchukuo]] in 1938 and 1939. Japan sought to avoid war with the Soviet Union by signing a [[Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact|non-aggression pact]] with it in 1941.

[[File:IJA-paratroopers-Palembang-11.jpg|thumb|[[Imperial Japanese Army|IJA]] paratroopers are landing during the [[Battle of Palembang]], February 13, 1942.]]
[[File:Japanese battleships Yamato and Musashi moored in Truk Lagoon, in 1943 (L42-08.06.02).jpg|thumb|[[Imperial Japanese Navy|IJN]] Yamato-class Battleships ''[[Japanese battleship Yamato|Yamato]]'' and ''[[Japanese battleship Musashi|Musashi]]'' moored in [[Truk Lagoon]], in 1943]]

Japan's military leaders were divided on diplomatic relationships with Germany and Italy and the attitude towards the United States. The [[Imperial Japanese Army]] was in favour of war with the United States, but the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] was generally strongly opposed. When [[Prime Minister of Japan]] General [[Hideki Tojo]] refused American demands that Japan withdraw its military forces from China, a confrontation became more likely.{{sfn|Dull|2007|p=5}} War with the United States was being discussed within the Japanese government by 1940.{{sfn|Asada|2006|pp=275–276}} Commander of the Combined Fleet Admiral [[Isoroku Yamamoto]] was outspoken in his opposition, especially after the signing of the Tripartite Pact, saying on 14 October 1940: "To fight the United States is like fighting the whole world. But it has been decided. So I will fight the best I can. Doubtless I shall die on board {{ship|Japanese battleship|Nagato||2}} [his flagship]. Meanwhile, Tokyo will be burnt to the ground three times. Konoe and others will be torn to pieces by the revengeful people, I [shouldn't] wonder. "{{sfn|Asada|2006|pp=275–276}} In October and November 1940, Yamamoto communicated with Navy Minister Oikawa, and stated, "Unlike the pre-Tripartite days, great determination is required to make certain that we avoid the danger of going to war. "{{sfn|Asada|2006|pp=275–276}}

With the European powers focused on the war in Europe, Japan sought to acquire their colonies. In 1940 Japan responded to the [[Battle of France|German invasion of France]] by occupying northern [[French Indochina]]. The [[Vichy France]] regime, a ''de facto'' ally of Germany, accepted the takeover. The allied forces did not respond with war. However, the United States instituted an embargo against Japan in 1941 because of the continuing war in China. This cut off Japan's supply of scrap metal and oil needed for industry, trade, and the war effort.

[[File:Falkenhorst onodera morath fjell festning 1943 triple 28 cm triple naval gun gneisenau.jpg|thumb|Japanese Military Attaché, Makoto Onodera, visiting [[Fjell Fortress]] in Norway, 1943. Behind him is Lieutenant Colonel Eberhard Freiherr von Zedlitz und Neukrich (C-in-C Luftwaffe Feldregiment 502.), and to the right is Fregattenkapitän doktor Robert Morath (Seekommandant in Bergen). Behind Onoderas hand (raised in salute) is General [[Nikolaus von Falkenhorst]] (C-in-C German military forces in Norway).]]

To isolate the US forces stationed in the [[Commonwealth of the Philippines|Philippines]] and to reduce US naval power, the [[Imperial General Headquarters]] ordered [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|an attack]] on the US naval base at [[Pearl Harbor]], Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. They also invaded [[Japanese invasion of Malaya|Malaya]] and [[Battle of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]. Initially achieving a series of victories, by 1943 the Japanese forces were driven back towards the home islands. The [[Pacific War]] lasted until the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] in 1945. The Soviets formally declared war in August 1945 and [[Soviet invasion of Manchuria|engaged Japanese forces]] in Manchuria and northeast China.