Japan's reply expected to be against USA policy, which should mean breaking off of diplomatic relations, then Japan going on her way re Indo China and Burma, then WAR.
Diary pages from this date
Observation posts close to the border report a build-up of Japanese troops.
The number one degree of readiness order is issued at Kai Tak airport. All personnel are confined to the station, the defences are manned and the military planes dispersed.
Sources:
Observation: Charles Barman, Resist to the End, 2009, 1
Tony Banham, Not The Slightest Chance, 2003, 13