1. Roosevelt’s Policy toward Japan Death of Hiroshi Saito – Japanese ambassador in the USA. Roosevelt’s decision to return Saito’s ashes to Japan. Japanese government considers this step as a desire to restore good relations with Japan. Roosevelt’s order to American navy not except any gifts and avoid any official events. Roosevelt establishes economic sanctions against Japan. Roosevelt’s dual policy toward Japan in 1939- 1941.

2. Hull-Nomura Negotiations Beginning of talks between Cordell Hull – US Secretary of State – and Kichisaburo Nomura – new Japan ambassador in the USA. Four major issues of talks: 1. American economic opportunity in China and Manchukou; 2. Question of Japanese troops disposed in China; 3. Japan’s neutrality in the event of American entry in European war; 4. American recognition of Manchukou.

3. Hull-Nomura Negotiations Americans agreed on point #4 and Japanese were ready to agree on points #1 and #3. Japanese initial intention to keep troops in China for 25 years, American objection. Japan changes its initial proposal and offers Americans to remove 90% of Japanese forces in China in two years with a possible withdrawal of them. Americans reject this offer and ask Japanese to withdraw all the troops from China in one year.

4. The Soviet-Japanese Pact – April 13, 1941 Matsuoka’s – Foreign Minister of Japan – visit to the USSR and Germany. Negotiations with Stalin and Molotov. Negotiations with Hitler and Ribbentrop. Yosuke Matsuoka in Moscow again. Decision to sign non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union. Soviets recognized Manchukou and Japan Mongolian People’s Republic.

5. Japanese Plans Two opposing groups in Japanese government. Hideki Tojo becomes the Prime Minister of Japan. Stalin’s intention to instigate Japan attack on the USA. His orders to Beria. Japanese government decides to thrust in Southern direction – on Americans.

6. Roosevelt’s Expectations Roosevelt’s wish to enter the Second World War. Who was Israel Plaks? The last phase of Japanese-American Negotiations: American ultimatum to Japan – withdraw troops not only from China, but from Manchukou too. Japanese government sets the date for attack on Pearl Harbor. US encoders got information about the date of future thrust, but not the place.

7. Pearl Harbor – December 7, 1941 Possible strike on Pearl Harbor – completely impossible from American point of view. The US fleet in Pearl Harbor. Radars fixing planes, but officers thought they were American. Air thrust on Pearl Harbor. Results of “Operation Z”: 7 of 8 major battleships – Arizona, Oklahoma, California, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee and Pennsylvania – either sunk or badly damaged.