The book delves into Japan's foreign policy during the interbellum, focusing on its mid-1930s decision to withdraw from naval arms control, which led to an arms race with the United States. This choice not only strained Japan's economy but also dismantled the regulatory framework governing U.S.-Japan relations. Despite a stable Asia-Pacific environment and U.S. efforts to accommodate Japan, this overbalancing act precipitated escalating tensions, ultimately culminating in the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
