Would carriers simply become the main Japanese targets?

If Force Z had carriers, would Japanese bombers simply target the carriers first?

They might, but the carriers would also bring fighters and a larger screened force, complicating Japanese target selection and attack planning.

The answer recognises the danger rather than treating a carrier as a shield by itself. It argues that Japanese bombers would face a more distributed target set and a task group with more fighters, escorts, and defensive coordination. With Victorious and Glorious present, attackers would have four major targets rather than concentrating solely on two capital ships. The carriers remain vulnerable, but combat air patrol and a denser screen alter both the approach and the number of bombers likely to reach weapon-release range.