What Japan might build instead of Yamato

If the Yamato class were not built, what would Japan construct instead?

A battleship with nine 16-inch guns is the preferred prediction, with twelve guns or more aircraft carriers also considered possible.

Without Yamato, Japan might build a more conventional battleship, choose something even more extreme, or order additional aircraft carriers. The preferred prediction is a battleship carrying nine 16-inch guns. A twelve-gun arrangement is also considered possible. No single alternative is treated as inevitable.