The original 5:5:3 carrier ratio becomes more contentious when France and Italy are included. A numerical compromise that seemed tolerable while carriers were unproven could grow politically sharper as naval aviation gained importance. Japan's carrier allocation was smaller than the combined French and Italian allowance even though neither European navy was its principal anticipated opponent. The perceived imbalance helps explain the Japanese shift of reconnaissance capacity to cruiser-borne aircraft, preserving scarce carrier tonnage for duties that only carriers could perform.
Notable Point · 12:50-17:32
Carrier ratios and Japan’s strategic position
The treaty’s carrier allocation could make Japan feel relatively weaker as carrier aviation became more important.