 After the Tripartite Pact was signed by Axis Powers Germany, Japan and Italy, in October 1940, Stalin proposed that the USSR also join the Axis alliance.To demonstrate peaceful intentions toward Germany, in April 1941 the Soviets signed a neutrality pact with Japan.Although "de facto" head of government for a decade and a half, Stalin concluded that relations with Germany had deteriorated to such an extent that he needed to deal with the problem as "de jure" head of government as well