Hmmm... here is a simple idea. In OTL the seminal event was when the Japanese Army forced action against French Indochina. there were several reasons for this. The formost given at the time was that the port of Haiphong was being used as a supply/trade conduit to Nationalist China territory. the Army argued closing that route would cause the final collapse of the Nationalist government. The Zaibatsu were interested as French Indo China was the most important rice production/exportation area in 1940 Asia, and there were the Michilen rubber plantations, some tin mines...
Lets suspose the equally arrogant Japanese Army leaders make the same argument in this ATL. Obviously the French are no pushover, but the fanatics point out the French are dengerate, politically isolated in Europe, and failed to stand up to the sissy Italians over Ethiopian crisis in 1937. The Army forces war with France thinking it will be a repeat of the Russo Japanese war of 1905.
The French refuse Japanese demands & start developing a position for negotiations. Japan makes a suprise attack, sinking the French asiatic fleet and starts landing armies.
The Japanese are dumfounded when the Brits and US organize a international trade embargo and start mobilizing their militaries. Negotiations go nowhere and the Japanese fanatics prepare a devastating blow that will stun the Nancy Boy westerners into accepting Japan as the superior race and dominate power in Asia. ....I think we know how the rest of the story goes
Lets suspose the equally arrogant Japanese Army leaders make the same argument in this ATL. Obviously the French are no pushover, but the fanatics point out the French are dengerate, politically isolated in Europe, and failed to stand up to the sissy Italians over Ethiopian crisis in 1937. The Army forces war with France thinking it will be a repeat of the Russo Japanese war of 1905.
The French refuse Japanese demands & start developing a position for negotiations. Japan makes a suprise attack, sinking the French asiatic fleet and starts landing armies.
The Japanese are dumfounded when the Brits and US organize a international trade embargo and start mobilizing their militaries. Negotiations go nowhere and the Japanese fanatics prepare a devastating blow that will stun the Nancy Boy westerners into accepting Japan as the superior race and dominate power in Asia. ....I think we know how the rest of the story goes