snip

My personal opinion is the Pearl Harbour attacks were a waste of time since
Japan could have expanded into the areas without much more than a yell or
two
from the U.S..

Japan didn't think so, largely because raw materials that they needed to
continue expanding into Asia had been embargoed by the U.S. On top of
that, neither the Brits nor the Dutch were likely to stand aside and let
Japan take over the Dutch East Indies oil fields.

OK, I may not have been clear. I was referring to U.S. reaction. As for the
British and Dutch forces actual events showed the Japanese had the ability to
handle them.

Dan, U. S. Air Force, retired