Originally Posted by Vince Noir

Then if it doesnt take on the British Empire in the Far East it has no resources with which to persue its plans of an 'Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere'. It will be severely hampered by a lack of oil, rubber and other natural resources including foodstuffs.

I dont see how replacing Churchill with Lord Halifax makes the Japanese military leadership change their plans for expansion given that they are still fighting in China and still persuing war with America which was only a means to allow them unrestrained expansion in the Far East.

I think you are not looking indepth enough at Japanese foreign policy in the pre-war period.