By Elke Porter | WBN News Global | December 7, 2025
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Today marks 83 years since December 7, 1941—the day President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared would "live in infamy." On that Sunday morning, Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing 2,403 Americans and propelling the United States into World War II. What began as devastation has transformed into one of the world's strongest economic partnerships.

The U.S. and Japan now share deep business ties. Japan is America's fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $200 billion annually. Japanese companies employ hundreds of thousands of Americans, while U.S. firms maintain significant operations in Japan. From automotive manufacturing to technology innovation, the two nations collaborate across industries that would have been unimaginable in 1941.

The Road to War

For those unfamiliar with this history, the attack didn't emerge from nowhere. Throughout the 1930s, Japan pursued aggressive expansion across Asia, invading China and seeking control of resource-rich territories. The United States responded with economic sanctions, including an oil embargo that threatened Japan's military capabilities.

Rather than retreat, Japan's military leadership chose a bold gamble: destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, hoping to prevent American interference in their expansion plans. The attack damaged or destroyed 21 ships and nearly 350 aircraft. Most devastatingly, the USS Arizona sank with 1,177 crew members aboard.

Japan's calculation proved catastrophically wrong. Instead of intimidating America into neutrality, the attack unified a previously divided nation. "Remember Pearl Harbor" became a rallying cry as millions enlisted. The U.S. entered a war most Americans had desperately hoped to avoid, ultimately defeating Japan in 1945.

Lessons in Reconciliation

The transformation from enemies to allies stands as one of history's most remarkable reconciliations. After occupation and reconstruction, Japan embraced democracy and became a crucial U.S. partner in Asia. Today's friendship demonstrates that former adversaries can build lasting peace through mutual respect and economic cooperation—a lesson worth remembering as we honour those lost 83 years ago.

Elke Porter at:
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 TAGS: #Pearl Harbor #December 7 #Day Of Infamy #US Japan Relations #Never Forget #History Lessons #WBN News Global #Elke Porter

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