The German victory over France in 1940, and the belief that Great Britain would soon fall, caused the Japanese government to seek a reasonable agreement with Hitler that would allow Japan a "free hand" in Asia. On Sept. 27, 1940, Japanese Foreign Minister Matsuoka concluded the Tripartite Pact with Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Fascist Italy. The alliance of Japan and the Axis powers was interpreted by many in the U.S. government as a "bluff"; nevertheless it was obvious that the pact was aimed squarely at the United States.