Answer:
Japan wanted mass expansion during WW2, wanting to take control of as many places as they could. Attacking Pearl Harbor would make the Pacific Ocean more obtainable, as well as seeing it as a way to get ahead of the USA in terms of war.
Explanation:
There were great tensions between Japan and the USA during WW2. Japan thought that going to war with the USA was inevitable, especially since the USA was trying to prevent Japan from mass expansion. Japan didn't want the USA to attack them first, or prevent them from expansion, so Japan made a surprise attack on the USA with the belief that it would give them a head start in the war. That also would mean Japan would have more control over the Pacific ocean, seeing as Japan was trying to expand as far as they could.
Japan attacking Pearl Harbor made a lot of Americans lose their belief in neutrality, seeing as the USA had been attacked. It was a personal attack on their country, and many people were enraged about it. It further enforced people's beliefs of wanting to go to war to protect the USA.
This was done off of quick research and my knowledge from my US history class, I hope this helps your answer!
