Japan's attrition plan depended on the enemy cooperating

Japanese planning envisioned a sequence of attritional attacks against an advancing fleet followed by a decisive battle near the home islands. The intended attrition phase would prepare that engagement without becoming a prolonged war of replacement. Japan's main fleet would remain fresh until the enemy had been reduced close enough to parity for the final battle. That concept depended on the opponent continuing a concentrated advance despite mounting losses, instead of withdrawing or choosing a different approach. Shortages of aircraft, trained aircrew and supplies then restricted attempts to adapt a force structure built around that sequence. Ibuki's conversion illustrates an effort to adapt, while the inability to provide crews strengthens the argument for preserving existing ships through better survivability.