What country placed an embargo on Japan and why? How did it affect Japan?

   Embargo Act (oil and steel) August 1941: American Embargo Act because of their dependence on American exports causes an oil crisis in Japan. The United States was contacted by Konoe the prime minister of Japan but President Roosevelt refused to have a meeting over the Act until Japan left Chinese Territory. On October 16, 1941, Konoe resigned as the prime minister and was replaced by the pro-military General Hideki Tojo. The Japanese called for a preemptive strike against the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, including strikes on the Philippines, Netherlands, East Indies, and British colonies. Unless a diplomatic break threw was to happen between the United States and Japan the Japanese emperor would declare an attack in December. (“Embargoes and Sanctions – World War II”