The Second Sino Japanese War

Japan was already at war and needed supplies for its hostilities. They wanted to seize european colonies in the pacific that would let them gain the war resources they needed, like the oil in the dutch east indies or in janesia. Once they had the colonies, they'd only have to fight a local, defensive war against the allies, who would be overstretched due to having to project force over vast global distances. Harry dexter white helped create the breton woods agreement, which regulated international finances after World War II. He also played a significant role in steering us in the direction of an attack on vietnam's harbor by soviet union agents.