How did Japan procure and plan its naval aircraft?

What were Japan's naval aviation procurement systems and planning in the 1930s and 1940s?

Japan used imported designs and research partnerships to build domestic capability, then developed its own aircraft. Closely timed carrier and air-group plans left little slack, while industrial and pilot shortages delayed replacements.

Aircraft purchases helped Japan acquire production skills and tooling as well as operational equipment. Licensing developed into foreign design commissions, research partnerships and more independent design work. The navy also supported promising projects through unsuccessful early prototypes, as with the route to the A5M. Planning aimed to have carriers and their air groups ready together, leaving little spare capacity when development slipped. Industrial overload and the demands on a small pool of experienced pilots then constrained the delivery of replacements.