This paper examines the political and cultural relations of Japan's military and government activities to explore the various events that precipitated the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This paper reviews the memoirs of Prince Konoye, who was privy to a considerable amount of internal information regarding the duplicity of a Japanese agreement with the United States, and their intentions of establishing an imperial claim to the Asian-Pacific. Interested in establishing themselves as an autonomous empire, Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor as a way to display their "presence" in the Pacific. The anticipation was a negotiation for control in the Asian-Pacific territories; however, Japan underestimated the American reaction to the attack. 14 pgs. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
