Why didn't the USA join Japan in World War II?

Answer 1

Because of USA's warm ties with USSR, joining Japan would've meant declaring war against the Allies.

Finland, today celebrating 89 years of independence was on friendly terms with Japan for the same reason why we were technically at war with the Allies- the USSR.

In fact, if it wasn't for Japan and its wars that forced USSR to fight in two fronts, I'd be speaking Russian now (Russians, were in fact more aggressive to smother local cultures than the Germans).

I do not consider "Pearl Harbour" to be a disaster or an atrocity, Japan, like Finland was pitted against the same enemies and had to fight. They, however, were motivated by what proved to be foolish pride in their "Empire".

Answer 2

Pretty much for the same reason that the United States did NOT suddenly become a Muslim nation on September 12, 2001.

Before the war started, we were in a pretty hefty economic competition with the Japanese in the Pacific region. Then the Japanese invaded the Chinese mainland, and we set up severe economic sanctions against them, to include almost a total ban on exports of steel and other essential war materials. The Japanese decided to get their own supplies -- iron, coal, oil, rubber, etc. -- by invading other sovereign countries.

In order to try and keep us out of the fighting in the Pacific, the Japanese Navy proposed destroying our fleet in Pearl Harbor. they knew that they could not compete with the economic giant that the U.S. was becoming, so they figured that a massive blow would put us so far behind the power curve that they could consolidate their gains before we'd ever be able to contest them.

Fortunately for the U.S., our most important capital ships -- the aircraft carriers, which are the real basis of power projection around the world -- were NOT in Pearl when the attack occurred. So while the attack hurt us badly, it did not cripple us as the Japanese had hoped.

But having been attacked even while the U.S. and Japanese ambassadors were negotiating was seen as such an evil, perfidious act, that there was no way the U.S. was going to ally itself with the Rising Sun.

Answer 3

The Japanese involvement in WWII started when they violated the League of Nations and illegally invaded Manchuria. The United States was instrumental in starting the League with Wilson's 14 points.
This is why at the bidding of the government the selling of steal to Japan was halted. This is the reason Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

Answer 4

catching a lot of flack from folks, but i think your question comes from a genuine curiosity, since the U.S. and Japan are close allies today and have been for several decades. perhaps you are young and don't know the adversarial history of Japan/U.S.

at the time of WW2, Japan was an imperial nation bent on conquest of the entire Pacific Rim including most of mainland China. Japan joined forces with Germany and Italy to form the Axis powers, a collection of authoritarian regimes that did not take a liking to democracy.

Militarily, Japan was a very powerful nation, and their naval fleet ruled the Pacific Rim. They were also overconfident and their quasi-religious zeal led many of their generals and admirals to believe they could engage the U.S. in war and, in the process, take control of the entire Pacific while at the same time diverting the U.S. away from involvement in Europe.

Thus, they attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. And the U.S. promptly engaged Japan in war, leading to more than three years of ferocious combat on land, sea and sky.

As history clearly shows, the U.S. pulverized Japan, culminating in the detonation of two nuclear bombs that annihilated more than 100,000 people.

Recognizing the potential for building a strategic ally in Asia, the U.S. led the effort to rebuild Japan in the 1950's, bolstering the nation's new economy with industrial and technology infrastructure. This marked the beginning of the countries' mutual respect and alliance which continues today.

Answer 5

We had a interest in many of the countries that fell to Japan in WWII like Singapore. United States was favoring the Allies because of the trade interests, proximity to allied nations, want of neutrality, and most importantly to halt aggression. The United States was not happy with Japan's invasion of China either, more importantly the Japanese conduct in war violated Geneva Convention.

Answer 6

Japan and the U.S where on good terms when they were still getting oil from us. That is right the biggest oil producer in the world right here , the U.S.A ever been to Texas? So the Japanese began a aggressive campaign and aligned themselves with Germany. U.S said it was unacceptable and cut off oil exports to Japan. Japan and Germany knew they would run out of gas soon so Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Long story short; industrialized, capitalistic, wartime U.S is no joke. Germany ran out of gas in Russia and they lost. Japan never stood a chance.

Answer 7

Japan started a war with the United States. By your question what exactly were we to join them in? Killing thousands of our own people? Read your history.

Answer 8

Um, well, Japan started the war with the U.S. by attacking the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor. Maybe you were out that day. The other factor is that Japan was allied with Nazi Germany, and that would have been, well, 'awwwwkwarrrd'.

Answer 9

Because japan Killed thousands of Americans at Pearl Harbor. Idiot.

"December 7, 1941: a date which will live in infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces from the Empire of Japan."
-President Roosevelt

Answer 10

Because Japan and Germany were on the same side against the US and the West ....plus we couldn't join them because a BIG thing called Pearl Harbor...rent the movie.