2. Italy: Under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, Italy joined forces with Germany in 1940
3. Japan: Imperial Japan, headed by Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, aligned itself with Germany and Italy in 1941
These three countries formed the core of the Axis alliance during World War II and carried out aggressive military campaigns and expansions with the ambition of gaining territory, resources, and political control.