Did the Axis powers refer to themselves as 'The Axis Powers'?

The "Axis powers" formally took the name after the Tripartite Pact was signed by Germany, Italy and Japan on September 27, 1940 in Berlin, Germany. The pact was subsequently joined by Hungary (November 20, 1940), Romania (November 23, 1940), Slovakia (November 24, 1940) and Bulgaria (March 1, 1941). read more

Emphasis is my own. It seems that in this high level diplomatic document at least, the term 'Axis' is used by the powers themselves. It is of course possible that the term was added in the translation to avoid confusion, I shall endeavour to find an original copy if possible. read more

In 1940, Japan joined the axis by signing onto the Tripartite Pact. According to Today I Found Out it’s likely that Italy and Germany were referring to themselves as the Axis, at least unofficially, before the tripartate agreement. read more