In addition to attacking the Philippines on December 7, 1941, Japan launched attacks against Hong Kong, Guam, Midway, Malaya, and Wake Island. The Philippines was the only nation that put up a serious fight, as the rest of the countries in the region were either completely conquered or too geographically dispersed to mount a significant defence. Additionally, the Philippines was the only country that actually went to war with Japan.
The Philippines had a small army and was not well prepared for the war; despite this, the Philippine forces fought heroically against the Japanese forces, which were more armed and had greater training. The Philippines were ultimately conquered by the Japanese, who ruled the country for three years during their occupation.