This timeline seems to put all the blame on Japan. No doubt they had over-militaristic tendencies. But let's also take the long view on America from Japan's perspective:
* Settlers displace native peoples in the north east of North America and the Caribbean.
* The first Americans kick out the British.
* Americans move west, killing more native peoples.
* Americans take over land from Mexico.
* "Manifest Destiny"
* Americans topple the Hawaiian monarchy and take over Hawaii.
* Americans go to war with the Philippines, killing tens of thousands.
It doesn't seem unreasonable for Japan at this point to feel threatened by America or compelled to take action to protect themselves.
* Settlers displace native peoples in the north east of North America and the Caribbean.
* The first Americans kick out the British.
* Americans move west, killing more native peoples.
* Americans take over land from Mexico.
* "Manifest Destiny"
* Americans topple the Hawaiian monarchy and take over Hawaii.
* Americans go to war with the Philippines, killing tens of thousands.
It doesn't seem unreasonable for Japan at this point to feel threatened by America or compelled to take action to protect themselves.