<P> Central to the Japanese goals was the taking of all Asian lands . To be successful US, UK, and Dutch forces were to be attacked simultaneously to prevent their ability to reinforce and aid their Asian possessions . Pivotal to the Japanese decision to attack was a tremendous need for crude oil as a result of economic sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands which was weakening the Japanese economy . The Japanese leaders were faced with a choice: end the war in China and their plans for Asian conquest, so as to end the sanctions, or declare war on three large military forces . The current war against Britain, and the Netherlands, and the strain of providing aid by the United States to these countries was seen as an opportunity by the Japanese to extend their "rightful" place as a ruler in Asia . </P> <P> The Japanese government decided to seize resources under the control of Britain, the United States and the Netherlands . Japan had already placed over ten divisions in Formosa (Taiwan). Japanese military planners argued that the British (and the USSR should they decide to declare war), would be unable to effectively respond to a Japanese attack, given the threat posed by the Third Reich . </P> <Ul> <Li> Battle of the Philippines (1941--42) 8 December 1941--8 May 1942 </Li> <Li> Battle of Bataan 7 January--9 April 1942 </Li> <Li> Battle of Corregidor 5--6 May 1942 </Li> <Li> Japanese occupation of the Philippines (1941--1945) 8 May 1942--5 July 1945 </Li> <Li> Philippine resistance against Japan 1941--45 </Li> <Li> Battle of Leyte 17 October--26 December 1944 </Li> <Li> Philippines campaign (1944--45) 20 October 1944--15 August 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Leyte Gulf 23--26 October 1944 </Li> <Li> Battle of Ormoc Bay 11 November - 21 December 1944 </Li> <Li> Battle of Mindoro 13--16 December 1944 </Li> <Li> Battle of Kirang Pass 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Maguindanao January to September 1945 </Li> <Li> Invasion of Lingayen Gulf 6--9 January 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Luzon 9 January--15 August 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Bessang Pass 9 January 1945 </Li> <Li> Raid at Cabanatuan 30 January 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Bataan (1945) 31 January 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Manila (1945) 3 February--3 March 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Corregidor (1945) 16--26 February 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Baguio (1945) 21 February 1945 </Li> <Li> Raid at Los Baños 23 February 1945 </Li> <Li> Invasion of Palawan 28 February--22 April 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of Mindanao 10 March--15 August 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle of the Visayas 18 March--30 July 1945 </Li> <Li> Battle at Piso Point 14 May 1945 </Li> </Ul> <Li> Battle of the Philippines (1941--42) 8 December 1941--8 May 1942 </Li>

When did world war 2 end in philippines