Japan could not treat the embargo as an exclusively American dispute. Britain and the Commonwealth had major territories and strategic interests in Asia, while the Dutch controlled resources in the East Indies. Britain historically shifted a large Pacific fleet east once other theaters permitted it. One interpretation of Churchill's public irritation over Australian redeployments is that it warned other partners against withholding forces. A later Japanese attack would therefore confront an Allied system of sanctions, territories, and naval commitments rather than a single opponent.
Notable Point · 2:57:24-2:59:09
Japan would still face a broad Allied coalition
A later conflict would still draw Britain, the Commonwealth, and the Dutch into a coalition shaped by Asian territories and shared sanctions.