Japan at War A. Japanese military leaders wanted to establish a New Order in East Asia. The order would include Japan, Manchuria, and China. The Japanese thought that they could guide the other East Asian nations to prosperity.

B. Japan needed natural resources. They looked to expand into Southeast Asia for sources. Japan knew that they risked strong response from European powers and the United States. Japan decided to take the risk.

C. In 1940, the Japanese demanded the C. In 1940, the Japanese demanded the right to exploit economic resources in French Indochina. The U.S. responded by imposing economic sanctions unless Japan withdrew.

D. Economic sanctions means. restrictions on trade that are D. Economic sanctions means restrictions on trade that are intended to enforce international law.

E. The Japanese badly needed oil and scrap iron from the U.S. The economic sanctions were a very real threat. After a long debate, Japan decided to launch a surprise attack on the U.S. in Southeast Asia.