Japanese occupy northern French- Indochina (sep 22, 1940 – sep 26, 1940)
Description:
After France had beaten Nazi Germany in 1940, a small Japanese force invaded the northern part of French-Indochina.
Importance to Japanese expansion: This invasion was partly linked to the Second Sino-Japanese War because the goal was to stop the Nationalist government of China from importing arms and fuel through French-Indo China along the Sino-Indo-China railway. This was China’s only land access to the outside world; however, the plan was refused. Some Japanese politicians believed this move into north Indo-china could be done without beginning a war with the United States. Japan didn’t want to prove the US, Great Britain, or the Soviet Union, so they decided against committing large numbers of troops in Indo-china. In all, Japan decided not to occupy the southern part of Indo-china.
International Response: The United States responded to this by imposing economic sanctions against Japan which reduced exports, oil, iron, and machinery. The US also made it clear to Japan that further Japanese aggression in this region would result in stronger sanctions. The items that were restricted were vital for Japan’s war in China resulting in the military beginning to put pressure on the Japanese government to sanction action for obtaining alternative supplies.
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