Japan fought as a key Axis Power in World War II, seeking to dominate Asia and secure vital natural resources. The empire's sweeping conquests and surprise strikes plunged the globe into conflict, ultimately ending in 1945 after devastating conventional bombings, the use of atomic weapons, and unconditional surrender.

Key Phases of the War

• Expansion & The Catalyst (1937–1941): Japan expanded its territories in China (starting the Second Sino-Japanese War) and Southeast Asia. Seeking to cripple the US Pacific Fleet, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, instantly drawing the United States into the war.

• The Turning Point (1942): Japanese expansion peaked before suffering major setbacks. The June 1942 Battle of Midway saw the US Navy deal a critical blow to Japan's fleet, shifting the strategic momentum.

• The Allied Advance (1943–1945): US forces adopted an "island hopping" strategy to bypass heavily fortified strongholds while cutting off Japanese supply lines across the Pacific.