The discussion rejects the idea that Japan's admirals were unintelligent or unaware of the forces arrayed against them. Even some advocates of war may not have expected final victory. That pessimism is more than a morale problem: leaders who begin a contest expecting defeat are unlikely to identify and pursue a workable path to success. Knowledge of the material balance did not prevent the institutional decision to fight anyway.
Notable Point · 19:57-21:23
Japanese admirals understood the odds against them
Japanese naval leaders understood their material disadvantages, yet some may have entered the war without expecting final victory.