Japan's historical attempt at a sub-10,000-ton fleet carrier produced a structurally troubled ship, so a successful British example offers a different model. The Imperial Japanese Navy already preferred to keep reconnaissance aircraft away from its principal fleet-carrier air groups, relying heavily on seaplanes and their tenders. A small carrier could assume that scouting duty with conventional deck aircraft. It could then add torpedo bombers. The combination of search and strike aircraft fits Japan's plan to weaken an approaching enemy fleet through attritional attacks before the decisive battle.
Notable Point · 48:48-50:49
Japan could shift fleet scouting onto small carriers
British cruiser-carriers give Japan a plausible alternative way to remove reconnaissance from fleet-carrier decks while adding torpedo aircraft to its attritional battle plan.