Japan had begun an invasion of China in the 1930's, and established some puppet states, such as Manchuria. Signatory to the Axis treaty, Japan claimed the French Indochine (as Protector to Vichy France), and the Netherland East Indies (as protector to the Reich Provisional Government in Netherlands), however Britain contested those claims, while taking effective control of the Netherland East Indies in the name of the Netherland government in exile. Japan declared war to Britain seizing British interests in China. When Britain begun Soviet campaign, reach an agreement with Japan. Britain would keep protectorate status on Netherlands East Indies and Japan would respect British interest in China and Southwest Asia, as well as Free France and American interests in China, while Britain would s