The timeline makes clear the Japanese feel they were manipulated into attacking America.
They were, but by their own fanatic war hawks. Anybody numb enough to stand up to them was almost without fail killed by military hit squads. Right from beginning to end, most "political" war decisions were preceded (and sometimes succeeded), by violent intimidations from so-called "rightest" military cadres.
Fanatics tried to shoot their way into Hirohito's chambers to prevent the surrender speech from being broadcast, iirc.
You are correct.
Japan’s war hawks had been active since their victory over Russia in ‘05.