Seeing the reasoning behind a countries actions is not the same as supporting those actions. Like Japan's bombing of Pearl, had they declared war in time, like they planned, the attack would have been seen in a whole different light, and with the fact that we cut off access to their resources it was only a matter of time before we were knee deep in war with them. Not saying we should not have been against their and Germany's actions, but they were pushed and we, the west, created the conditions that started WWII, and our involvement helped bring those countries, including China, to where they are today. In this, Russia too has been pushed and unless they and Ukraine come to a neutrality agreement, we may just be looking at the beginning of a wider war, possibly WWIII.
Basically, what you said is completely true. There was a mix of bumbling by the Roosevelt administration, but let's dig into the situation as it existed on Dec 7, 1941.
Japan had already invaded and occupied China, Indo China (Vietnam), Korea and various Pacific islands..and was licking it's chops in anticipation of the Philippines and Australia.
They like the rest of the axis alliance, were very clearly and expansionist empire. Expansionist empires don't stop of their own volition, they must be stopped. Had Japan stopped their land grab which they referred to as the "Great East Asia Coprosperity Sphere" moves, there likely would have been no embargoes placed upon them
The invasions of Viet Nam was for rubber, British Maylaya, Dutch Indonesia and other areas for Petroleum..all to feed their war machines.
Some writers like to start their story at Pearl Harbor, but that is ignoring aggressive moves and invasions performed well before that date.
I can understand the Empire of Japan's motives at the time (expansion of empire), but that doesn't mean I sympathize with them.. They were already bad actors, starting in the early 1930s
The rape of Nanking (Nanjing) in 1937.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
