Japan didn't help Germany invade Russia because its focus was on conquering resource-rich Southeast Asia, it was bogged down in China, and a decisive 1939 border battle with the Soviets (Battle of Khalkhin Gol) proved the Red Army was a formidable foe, leading to a neutrality pact. Japan preferred waiting for Germany to weaken the USSR, hoping to seize the spoils later, and its military was divided on the Siberian strategy, with the Navy favoring Pacific expansion over a costly land war in the north.
If Japan cancelled the "Southern Road" and attacked the USSR, it would have helped Germany by distracting the Russian Siberian brigades, but would not have helped Japan. The Japanese army was in no condition to fight the Soviets, as it proved at Khalkhin Gol, and later in the 1945 Soviet Manchurian offensive.
The Japanese, naturally, were disappointed to hear of Hitler's death. They were more concerned, however, over how Germany would react. After the collapse of the fascist regime in Italy, Italian fascists formed a rump state and continued to fight on, and the Japanese hoped that Germany would do the same.
Perhaps the most famous reform was Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution which explicitly disavows war as an instrument of state policy and promises that Japan will never maintain a military.
Following the German victories in Europe, in September, 1940 Japan, Germany, and Italy signed the Three Power Treaty, a ten year alliance pledging mutual support in the establishment of a new order in Europe and Asia.
It was the rival Weltanschauung, Marxism (which for him embraced social democracy as well as communism), with its insistence on internationalism and economic conflict. Beyond Marxism he believed the greatest enemy of all to be the Jew, who was for Hitler the incarnation of evil.
The United States. Since World War II, Japan's most important tie has been with the United States. Japan's mutual defense treaty with the United States is central to its security. The United States is committed to defend Japan and maintains military bases in Japan partially for that purpose.
The main defensive argument was the alleged crimes had yet to be established as international law and Japan's actions were in self-defense.
The "Japan 5-minute rule" refers to extreme punctuality, meaning you should arrive 5-10 minutes before a scheduled time, as being exactly on time is considered late, demonstrating respect and reliability, a concept sometimes called "5-minute prior action" (５分前行動). It highlights Japanese culture's emphasis on preparedness, where trains are so precise that delays over 5 minutes get official notes, making being early a crucial part of business and social etiquette.
The United States is consistently ranked as having the #1 most powerful military in the world for 2025 by organizations like Global Firepower and Business Insider. This ranking stems from its massive defense budget, advanced technology, global power projection, and dominance in air, sea, and cyber warfare, though China has the largest number of active personnel.
Hirohito visited Hiroshima in 1947 and continued to publicly mourn the deaths that took place during the atomic attacks throughout his life. He also expressed some contrition for his role in the war. In 1971, Emperor Hirohito expressed that there were parts of the war that he felt “personally sorry for.”
Then, saying "It is finished, goodbye", Hitler took Eva back into their rooms for the last time. During the afternoon Hitler shot himself and Eva took the poison capsule that he had given her.
While U.S. entry into WWII provided significant military and economic support to the Allies, key factors such as the Soviet resistance and internal issues within Germany likely meant that a German victory would have remained unlikely even without U.S. involvement.
Japan's desire for an empire and the natural resources to go with it had slowly awoken the U.S from its isolationism. Bogged down in China and unable to attack the Soviets the Japanese decision to strike south resulted in a U.S oil embargo which gave Japan little choice other than to give up its ambitions or go to war.
However, the Japanese government's antipathy to communism and socialism, a determination to recoup historical losses to Russia, and the perceived opportunity to settle the "northern problem" to Japan's advantage by either creating a buffer state or through outright territorial acquisition were also factors.
The Japanese 80% rule, known as "Hara Hachi Bu", is a Confucian principle advising people to stop eating when they feel about 80% full, not completely stuffed, to support health and longevity. This practice encourages mindful eating, helps prevent overeating, and is linked to lower rates of illness and longer lifespans, particularly observed in Okinawan centenarians. It involves slowing down during meals, listening to your body's fullness cues, and appreciating food as fuel rather than indulging to the point of discomfort.
Thanks to a historically weak yen, the U.S. dollar goes quite far in Japan, making food, local transport, and cultural sites surprisingly affordable, though high-end hotels and bullet trains still cost significantly in dollar terms; expect about 155-156 yen per dollar, allowing for cheap convenience store snacks, budget ramen for around $10, and museum entries under $5, making it a great value trip for U.S. travelers.
Japanese tend not to eat while walking along or standing around on the street. However, it is acceptable to drink while standing aside vending machines, which are ubiquitous in Japan. Eating and drinking on local trains is also frowned upon, but not long distance express trains such as the Shinkansen bullet train.
WW2 soldiers carried condoms primarily for disease prevention (STDs like syphilis and gonorrhea) and for practical combat uses, such as keeping sand and mud out of their rifle barrels, protecting small items, or even as makeshift waterproof bags, although the weapon-protection use is sometimes exaggerated in popular culture. The military distributed them widely (often in "prophylactic kits") to maintain troop strength, recognizing the significant manpower lost to venereal diseases in past conflicts.
Publicly, Japanese officials announced their intentions to fight on to the conclusion of the war. Kantarō Suzuki, the Prime Minister of Japan, declared in a radio announcement on May 3 (the day after Hitler's suicide) that the Japanese people should continue fighting with the spirit of a kamikaze pilot.
In total, the Allies took about $413 million worth of reparations (both in money and in goods) from their occupation zones. In 1952, the London Agreement on German External Debts assessed the final reparation figure at $3 billion. Germany has yet to pay off its debts for World War II.
Australia and Japan continue to maintain a strong bilateral relationship, partly due to mutually beneficial economic ties. In recent years, the two countries have also strengthened political and security cooperation, resulting in a robust strategic partnership in the Asia-Pacific region.
The "3 Date Rule" in Japan refers to the cultural tendency to make a formal love confession (kokuhaku) on or around the third date, marking the transition from casual dating to an official couple, often after building trust with lighter activities like meals or walks, and it's considered a crucial step for clarifying relationship status before deeper intimacy, though it's a guideline, not a strict law.
Canada is America's closest friend and ally, bound together by geography, history and common values. We're partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in the North American Aerospace Defense command, and in countless security and intelligence arrangements that keep North Americans safe.