Japanese cruisers in Cunningham's Mediterranean

How would Japanese cruisers have changed Cunningham's Mediterranean force?

They would add fast, heavily armed ships with long-range torpedoes and might make an Italian defeat at Matapan even more severe.

The hypothetical changes both the reinforcements available to Cunningham and the British cruisers released from Far Eastern deterrence tasks. Older British C- and D-class cruisers might maintain a presence east of Suez while Japanese ships joined the Mediterranean fleet. Their speed, numerous eight-inch guns, and long-range torpedoes would make them especially dangerous during confused night actions. Cape Matapan, where British cruisers nearly encountered the Italian force, offers a moment when a Japanese-style torpedo attack could have multiplied Italian losses.