Japan's expanded carrier programme would still face shipyard constraints, although demand could push it to use yards previously held back by political considerations. More carriers might also increase national confidence. The strategic model described here seeks enough naval strength that only a major power committing most of its fleet could attack with confidence. An opponent would then have to support that force far from home. The Anglo-Japanese alliance added another obstacle: an attack by more than one power risked bringing Britain into the war. Additional carrier aviation could strengthen this calculation, although the effect on Japan's later choices remains uncertain.
Notable Point · 1:19:56-1:22:20
Japan's minimum-force strategy combines fleet strength and distant logistics
More small carriers could reinforce Japan's search for a force large enough to make distant intervention costly, while construction capacity still limits the programme.