What was the primary objective of the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies?

The primary objective of the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies during World War II was Java. Java was the most populous and economically significant island in the Dutch East Indies, making it a strategic target for Japan. Capturing Java allowed the Japanese to gain control over vital resources, including oil and rubber, which were crucial for sustaining their military efforts. The rich agricultural and industrial capacity of Java also offered logistical advantages that bolstered Japanese operations in the Pacific theater.

While the other islands listed—Borneo, Sumatra, and Sulawesi—were also valuable, Java's centrality in the region and its economic importance made it the focal point of Japanese military strategy in the area. The successful invasion and occupation of Java were critical to Japan's early successes in the Pacific War, enabling them to establish a more extended occupation of the surrounding territories.