In the midst of increasing tension in Asia, Prince Fumimaro Konoye, Prime Minister of Japan, invited President Roosevelt to meet with him in 1941.

In 1941, World War II was raging in Europe, and Japan had occupied China. Although the U.S. had not yet entered the war, tensions were mounting and Japan was surrounded by U.S. troops and threatened with sanctions. On this day in 1941, Prince Fumimaro Konoye requested that President Roosevelt enter into direct negotiations with him to avoid having the conflict over the occupation of China escalate to war. Although envoys were exchanged, no direct meeting took place and the relationship between the two countries deteriorated. In October of 1942, Prince Konoye resigned as Prime Minister. In December, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and the U.S. officially entered the war. When the war was over, Prince Konoye served on the cabinet of the first post-war administration. He was later accused of war crimes by the United States. To avoid arrest and an almost certain execution, Prince Konoye drank poison.

ARTSEDGE
In Japanese Americans and WW II (5–8), students learn about the experiences of Japanese Americans who were relocated from their homes to detainment camps during World War II.

The student interactive Documentary Photography - Part II (9–12) asks students to examine documentary photographs taken during the World War II bombing of Nagasaki, Japan. They compare and contrast the depictions of war and the differing perspectives conveyed by the images.

Relations between the U.S. and Japan have been good since the end of World War II. ARTSEDGE celebrated the 150th anniversary of friendship between the U.S. and Japan, as marked by the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Amity of 1854, with a Destination: Japan (K–12). The spotlight is a passport to exploring the richness and beauty of Japanese arts and culture and features images, audio, text and links to related lesson plans.

Xpeditions
Use this Map of Japan, from the Xpeditions Atlas, in any study of the country.

Japan has changed greatly since the end of World War II. Students can explore some of these changes and their effects in two Xpeditions Hall interactives, The Garden and Sushi Bar.