[PlaneKrazy]

Japanese forces in Manchukuo were thoroughly thrashed by Zuhkov's tank formations in the undeclared border war of Khalkhin Gol in August 1939. the Japanese not only lacked decent tanks, they thoroughly lacked any understanding of how to use them, much as they did not know how to use submarines. Japan was terrified during the war of triggering conflict with the Soviets and concealed the battle of Khalkhin Gol from Hitler.

Japan did not go to war just for the hell of it.

Japan was forced by USA to attack pearl harbour because of a US naval oil blockade of Japan from July 1941. Japan used it's last reserves of oil to attack Pearl, Malaya, Borneo and Indonesia.

Carpenoctem1689, the whole reason for Japan entering the war was to obtain oil, but attacking the Soviets was never an option in Japanese minds. They were terrified of the Soviets.

Aircraft have an important role in modern warfare, but they cannot hold territory.