Both were Portuguese colonies, so why did Japan occupy East Timor instead of Macau?

Everyone must have read that Japan did not attack Macau during World War II because Portugal asked Brazil to intimidate Japan. The reason is that Brazil has a large number of Japanese immigrants, and Brazil was a colony of Portugal. If Japan dared If they attack Macau, Portugal will ask Brazil to drive all the Japanese back.

In fact, these views are full of loopholes. First of all, Brazil had become independent in 1822 and no longer obeyed Portugal. Assuming that Brazil really has friendship with Portugal and helps Portugal threaten Japan to drive away Japanese immigrants, will Japan really be threatened by this? I think Japan was at war at that time, and it was eager to have more people, right?

Secondly, Portugal’s colonies are not only Macau, East Timor is also one of Portugal’s colonies. Why did Japan occupy East Timor? Isn’t it true that if we occupy East Timor, we won’t be afraid of Portuguese retaliation? Obviously Japan's fear of Portuguese retaliation was unfounded.

In fact, if you look carefully at the time of Japan's attack on Hong Kong, you can know that Japan attacked Hong Kong in 1941. Before 1941, Japan did not offend Britain, France, the United States and other countries. You must know that Japan It was only in 1940 that it formally formed an alliance with Germany and Italy. The reason why Japan delayed for so long to form an alliance with Germany was because Japan and Germany had differences over the issue of Britain and France. It was not until Germany defeated France and achieved greater victory in the European battlefield that Japan boldly signed an agreement with Germany. A treaty of alliance in which Britain was the main enemy. Therefore, before this, Japan still maintained a cautious attitude towards Western countries.

It was only after signing the treaty that Japan boldly attacked the British colony of Hong Kong. As for why it did not attack Macau, it was entirely a strategic consideration. The reason why people compare Hong Kong and Macau is because they are both Chinese. of being colonized.

However, the purpose of Japan's attack on Hong Kong was not because Hong Kong was a colony, but because of Hong Kong's strategic significance. Hong Kong was China's most important external maritime transportation port at that time. When we look at Japan's occupied territories, it is obvious that Japan has no intention of occupying the entire territory, so it is normal for Japan not to attack Macau. It will only attack those that are necessary. If Macau becomes necessary, I believe that the ruthless Japan will not Will give up because of one or two threats.

Furthermore, although Portugal was a neutral country on the surface at that time, it was actually a country that favored the Axis powers. Japan would not easily offend its supporters unless it was a last resort. To put it simply, the Axis powers still wanted to win over these countries at that time.

Later, Japan moved south, and the Pacific War broke out. East Timor, as a Portuguese colony, was still captured by Japan. Japan did not attack East Timor intentionally to cause trouble for Portugal, but East Timor was a place of great significance to Japan. strategic significance. You know, at that time, Japan considered a full-scale invasion of Australia, and East Timor was on the opposite coast of Australia, so East Timor's location was too important. At that time, Japan was already crazy, the war had entered a fever pitch, and Portugal could not be taken care of.

Therefore, from the beginning to the end, Japan considered its own strategic needs and did not care about the so-called intimidation. For example, when the United States later threatened and embargoed Japan, Japan still had no intention of withdrawing from China. , and also gave the United States a severe beating. At that time, there were many Japanese Americans in the United States. Therefore, it is an exaggeration to say that Brazil is intimidating Japan so that Japan does not dare to attack Macau.

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