In 1941, as tensions escalated in the Pacific, the Japanese invasion of French Indochina prompted a serious response from Western powers. The Japanese military had sought to expand its territorial control and secure access to critical resources such as oil and rubber, which were highly sought after for its war efforts in China and beyond. Observing the threat of Japanese aggression not only towards China but also against European colonies, the United States, Britain, and the Netherlands convened to discuss the appropriate response to these actions. On July 26, 1941, they collectively decided to freeze all Japanese assets within their jurisdictions. This included substantial financial resources and investments owned by Japanese nationals and businesses, significantly curtailing Japan’s ability to finance its military operations.Furthermore, the Allies also imposed an embargo on oil shipments to Japan, a move that would have profound ramifications for the Japanese economy and military capabilities. Oil was crucial for Japan, not only for its navy but for its burgeoning industrial sector. This decision was intended to compel Japan to withdraw from its aggressive military campaigns, particularly in Indochina and China, while also serving as a signal of solidarity among the Allies. The embargo, however, set in motion a series of retaliatory measures by Japan, leading to heightened military ambitions, including the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in December of the same year, which ultimately escalated the conflict into a full-scale war involving multiple nations across the globe.