Far Eastern escorts followed speed and cargo

Were troop convoys routinely escorted in the Far East before Japan entered the war?

Not all of them: fast liners often relied on speed, while slower convoys carrying critical war material received escorts and sometimes carried troops as well.

Dedicated troop transports differed from slower material convoys. Fast liners commonly relied on speed outside the most dangerous zones rather than receiving routine close escort throughout the voyage. Convoys carrying tanks, aircraft, raw materials, and other critical cargo were more likely to receive protection, and they could also carry troops. Escort policy followed speed, cargo value, and threat exposure rather than the simple presence of soldiers aboard.