In other respects, however, the Konoye Cabinet’s expansionist
program--like that of its predecessors--did not enjoy easy going. For
the war in China was still not won. In November 1940 Japan formally
recognized Wang Ching-wei’s Nanking regime (the puppet government
she herself had created). But this step merely spotlighted Japan’s
failure to secure peace in China. Tokyo also undertook negotiations
with the Soviet Union, but with little immediate result. Finally, the
British and the Dutch strengthened the defenses of both Malaya and
the Netherlands Indies, and the American fleet at Hawaii served as an
eloquent warning against any move by Japan on Singapore, strategic key
to southeast Asia.