German-Japanese relations were on the decline since December 1937. Germany wanted more of a commitment from Japan than they were willing to give. The German Foreign Minister, Rippentrop, told Oshima that Germany was not happy with such a weak agreement between the two nations and called for one that was a "mutual aid treaty instead, aimed not only at the USSR, but at all countries." Oshima knew that Japan was only willing to attack Russia, but brought the idea to the military anyway. This was shot down by Japan's Ambassador to Germany, Togo, who was left out of the dealings between Rippentrop and Oshima. He strongly opposed the idea of a stronger alliance because he felt it would draw them into the middle of the European war and would not be able to concentrate in their battle with China.

Japan declared that they were ready to enter into a military alliance with Germany in August 1938, but remained firm that their main target was Russia. Rippentrop did not want this, he wanted Japan to join the fight against England and the US as primary enemies. Japan considered this possibility, and brought an end to the Anti-Comintern Pact, which was supposed to be only against Russia. In the end Japan only agreed to protect Germany from Allied attacks from waters where the Japanese navy was present. The Army in Japan was very much for this alliance, but met much opposition from the government and the navy. However, with the strong opposition from the navy, no further developments were made between the two sides.

Above: Rippentrop shaking hands with Stalin after the Nazi-Soviet Pact is signed.

Hitler became increasingly impatient with the futile attempts to form an alliance with Japan; he wanted to have the agreement as soon as possible in order to invade Poland. He knew that the invasion would cause war with England and France, and wanted Japan's support. Japan would still only enter the war against the Soviet Union, which was of no use to Germany at all during this time. The Russians then began to gain an interest in an alliance with Germany in hopes of improving relations with Japan and to settle border disputes. Hitler justified his alliance with Stalin by saying it was in response to Japan failing to join Germany unconditionally and denounced Japan in a speech he made August 23, 1939. He stated that himself, Stalin, and Mussolini were the only great statesman in the world and said, "The Emperor is the companion piece of the later Czars. Weak, cowardly, irresolute, he may fall before a revolution…Let us think of ourselves as masters and consider these people at best as lacquered half-monkey's who need to feel the knout."

Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov siging the Nazi-Soviet Pact, with Rippentrop and Stalin standing directly behind him.

When word of the German-Russian Pact reached Japan, there was violent backlash against Germany. The army was upset that now Russia could move all their troops and concentrate on the Asian front to provide a strong defense against Japan and prevent them from gaining any more territory. The Hiranuma cabinet resigned as a result on August 30, 1939 and Japan ended all talks, negotiations, and contacts with Germany at that point. They said the Soviet-German Pact was in direct violation of the Anti-Comintern Pact and thus the end of Japan-German relations was a reality for the time being.

Tripartite Pact

Bibliography

This exhibit was researched and designed by [Scott Wolfrom].

This exhibit and museum were created during an introductory seminar on the Asia-Pacific War, taught at Wake Forest University during the spring semester 2002.

The material and opinions are those of their respective authors and do not represent the views of the University or the Department of History.