What did Japan misread on the eve of the Pacific War? The gap between America's founding ideals and its priority on national interest
Introduction
Looking back at the history leading up to the Pacific War, we can see how Japan misunderstood its relationship with the United States. There is a commonly told image that "America was a country that valued and held ideals of freedom and democracy." However, in reality, there was a
gap between ideals and the priority on national interest.
In this article, we will carefully explain the flow from the background of America's founding to pre-war diplomacy, Japan's misreading, the outbreak of the Pacific War, and even the possibilities for alternative actions.
1. How was America born?
The United States of America was originally created by people who crossed the Atlantic from the British mainland to settle. They were not merely immigrants facing economic hardship in their home country, but people who had received at least a middle-class education and possessed pride, as well as religious minorities.
Reasons why settlers crossed to the American continent
Economic reasons: Opportunities for land and commerce were limited in the home country, but in the New World, they could acquire vast tracts of land and engage in economic activities freely.
Political reasons: Because of the geographical distance, they could exercise self-governance. There were few restrictions based on family lineage or social status, allowing them to freely build their social standing.
Adventure and ideal-oriented: They sought opportunities to utilize their own values and abilities in undeveloped lands.
Religious reasons: People like Puritans and Quakers migrated to avoid religious persecution. They sought freedom of faith and self-governance.
These backgrounds became the foundation for America's later founding ideals.
2. Formation of founding ideals
The values of the settlers were eventually reflected in the War of Independence (1775–1783) and the drafting of the Constitution.
Freedom, equality, and respect for rights
Government is established by the consent of the people
Maximize economic and political freedom
The ideals also functioned as a mechanism to justify the settlers' own interests and rights.The educated and proud settlers utilized these ideals to protect their own social and economic rights.
3. Why America lagged behind in colonial policy
In the late 19th century, compared to the world's great powers, America lagged behind in colonial policy toward China and Southeast Asia. The reasons are mainly as follows.
Priority on domestic affairs: Domestic problems were piling up during the Civil War (1861–1865) and the subsequent reconstruction period
Geographical constraints: Sandwiched between the Atlantic and Pacific, its overseas expansion was delayed compared to other nations
Military constraints: It lacked sufficient naval power to deploy overseas
Influence of founding ideals: A culture that prioritized free trade and market expansion over colonial rule, making it cautious about imperialist colonial policies
As a result, it lagged behind the colonial networks of the great powers, and was forced to adopt a contrarian strategy through an Open Door policy.
4. The gap between pre-war American diplomacy and its ideals/practical interests
Stated ideals: Free trade, equal market access, and respect for the rights and interests of other nations
Actual objectives (national interest): Securing entry into the Chinese market where it had fallen behind, keeping the exclusive dominance of European powers in check
The gap between ideals and practical interests was clear; the stated ideals served as "decoration," while actual diplomacy was driven by prioritizing national interest.
5. Japan's misreading
On the eve of the Pacific War, Japan misread this gap between America's ideals and practical interests.
It understood the Open Door policy and free trade as "moral and fair ideals" 👈️
Therefore, it mistakenly assumed that economic blockades and oil embargoes were "temporary pressure that could be resolved through diplomatic negotiation" (misinterpreting that because it is a country of fair ideals, they would understand if talked to) 👈️
America's "morally appearing words" were ultimately strategic representations to protect its own national interests, and in reality, while America touted its ideals, it was taking hardline measures that prioritized its own national interests and security. (Same as the Trump administration as of 2025)
6. Possible moves Japan could have taken
If it could have avoided this misreading, Japan would have had other options.
Gradual withdrawal from China: Creating bargaining chips for negotiations with the U.S.
Restraint on southward expansion: Avoiding the trigger for economic blockades
Diplomatic compromise and cooperation strategies: Presenting concession proposals in negotiations with Britain and the US
Diversification of resource security: Seeking domestic stockpiles and alternative routes without relying on Dutch or Southeast Asian resources
Of course, considering the position of the military at the time and domestic public opinion, implementation was difficult. However, the options were not completely zero, and it is considered that there was room for diplomatic maneuvers.
7. The Outbreak of War Caused by Misreading
Japan expected that if it made concessions in negotiations, the blockade would be lifted. However, the United States demanded extreme conditions such as withdrawal from China.
💡Japan judged (and felt compelled to act) that 'the fruits of (the Sino-Japanese War) so far and the sacrifices (of soldiers and domestic policies) would be in vain (if it could not suppress the stance of the military and domestic public opinion),' and embarked on military action.
As a result, advancement into the South and rejection of the Hull Note → Pearl Harbor attack → outbreak of the Pacific War occurred.
8. Overall Causal Relationships (Summary)
British settlers: Education, pride, and sense of autonomy
American founding ideals: Freedom, equality, and respect for rights (a mechanism for justifying interests)
Pre-war diplomacy: Open Door Policy (justifying national interest through ideals)
Japan's misreading: Taking ideals literally and mistakenly believing they could be resolved through negotiation
Options Japan might have taken (withdrawal from China, restraint in the South, diplomatic compromise) were not fully utilized
Outbreak of the Pacific War: Advancement into the South, rejection of the Hull Note, Pearl Harbor attack
9. Conclusion
America's 'ideals' are a mechanism reflecting the values and interests of the founding settler class, and have been used in diplomacy to justify their own national interests.
Before the war, Japan took these ideals literally and misread policies centered on practical benefits, thereby losing room for diplomatic compromise.
To understand the Pacific War, it is important not only to look at military power and economic sanctions, but also to decipher the difference in perception of the gap between ideals and practical benefits.
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Also, taking this moment as a turning point, 💡it developed into American diplomacy from the postwar period to the present
Cold War/Postwar: Expanding ideals and advocating for the "Free World" and "Free Trade"
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In reality:
Formation of a bloc economy centered on the dollar system
Incorporating Japan, Western Europe, and Southeast Asia into a free market
A strategy to exclude the communist bloc (China and the Soviet Union)
As always, ideals function as"a representation that justifies self-centered interests"
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