Japan, Persian Gulf and energy

Interesting article, underlining Japanese constant strive to develop their industry.
Hard working, very well educated people....but island has no natural resources to speak off, and is vulnerable to fluctuations in world's market.

"For Japan, a country that went to war with the United States over energy in 1941 and was devastated as a result, this was no small thing. "

Excellent observation!
Little known fact.

Japan struggled to provide energy and ores to keep it's growing industry running, for the first part of 20th century.

Initially, ambition was to get it from Siberia...

After the end of the war in Europe and the defeat of the Central Powers, the Allies joined REDS - WHITES civil war in Russia, and supported the anti-Bolshevik White forces.

14 countries participated in effort to defeat communists in Russia including Kingdom of Serbia that sent 4000 soldiers to Arkhangelsk region, but none provided as many soldiers as Japan.

They deployed 70,000 soldiers to Siberia, along side 40,000 British, 13,000 Americans, 12,000 Poles, 4,000 Canadians, 2,500 Italians and 2,000 Chinese troops.
French, Greek, Romanian, Australian and Serbian troops were fighting elsewhere.

Despite this, Whites lost the war to the Red Army, and Allied intervention sustained casualties, faced difficulty of supplying the troops with food and ammo, especially during winters, and ended in 1920.

Japan did not leave Russian maritime provinces (Vladivostok) until defeat in 1922. They managed to hang onto Sakhalin peninsula until 1925, when Red Army's continued military success forced Japan’s withdrawal from Russia.

It was obvious that they wanted Russian vast natural resources.

In the years that followed, they faced increasing problem from the US as US sought to limit Japan's growth as industrial power and global competitor.

They tried ones more to resolve this problem by invading again in 1939. Moment was favorable, as most of the Soviet troops were in Europe, that was already boiling at the time.
Disastrous defeat at Khalkhin Gol in 1939 , and annihilation of its elite ground troops (6th Imperial Army) convinced Japan that ground war is simply not their thing, and that they should look for resources somewhere else.
Logical decision considering that, as an island, Navy was well developed and strong.

"When the Japanese invaded Indochina, the United States both cut off oil shipments from the United States and started buying up oil from the Netherlands East Indies to keep Japan from getting it. The Japanese were faced with the collapse of their economy or war with the United States. They chose Pearl Harbor. Today’s situation is in no way comparable to what happened in 1941 except for the core geopolitical reality. "

Not at all comparable. Today's Japanese forces are no treat to anyone.
But, the problem that Japan has still exists, and Japan is still vulnerable.

"

Interesting article, underlining Japanese constant strive to develop their industry.
Hard working, very well educated people....but island has no natural resources to speak off, and is vulnerable to fluctuations in world's market.

"For Japan, a country that went to war with the United States over energy in 1941 and was devastated as a result, this was no small thing. "

Excellent observation!
Little known fact.

Japan struggled to provide energy and ores to keep it's growing industry running, for the first part of 20th century.

Initially, ambition was to get it from Siberia...

After the end of the war in Europe and the defeat of the Central Powers, the Allies joined REDS - WHITES civil war in Russia, and supported the anti-Bolshevik White forces.

14 countries participated in effort to defeat communists in Russia including Kingdom of Serbia that sent 4000 soldiers to Arkhangelsk region, but none provided as many soldiers as Japan.

They deployed 70,000 soldiers to Siberia, along side 40,000 British, 13,000 Americans, 12,000 Poles, 4,000 Canadians, 2,500 Italians and 2,000 Chinese troops.
French, Greek, Romanian, Australian and Serbian troops were fighting elsewhere.

Despite this, Whites lost the war to the Red Army, and Allied intervention sustained casualties, faced difficulty of supplying the troops with food and ammo, especially during winters, and ended in 1920.

Japan did not leave Russian maritime provinces (Vladivostok) until defeat in 1922. They managed to hang onto Sakhalin peninsula until 1925, when Red Army's continued military success forced Japan’s withdrawal from Russia.

It was obvious that they wanted Russian vast natural resources.

In the years that followed, they faced increasing problem from the US as US sought to limit Japan's growth as industrial power and global competitor.

They tried ones more to resolve this problem by invading again in 1939. Moment was favorable, as most of the Soviet troops were in Europe, that was already boiling at the time.
Disastrous defeat at Khalkhin Gol in 1939 , and annihilation of its elite ground troops (6th Imperial Army) convinced Japan that ground war is simply not their thing, and that they should look for resources somewhere else.
Logical decision considering that, as an island, Navy was well developed and strong.

"When the Japanese invaded Indochina, the United States both cut off oil shipments from the United States and started buying up oil from the Netherlands East Indies to keep Japan from getting it. The Japanese were faced with the collapse of their economy or war with the United States. They chose Pearl Harbor. Today’s situation is in no way comparable to what happened in 1941 except for the core geopolitical reality. "

Not at all comparable. Today's Japanese forces are no treat to anyone.
But, the problem that Japan has still exists, and Japan is still vulnerable.

"