Japanese naval aviation doctrine was defensively offensive: aircraft would defend Japan by finding, striking, and repeatedly wearing down an advancing enemy at distance. The attacks aimed to reduce both the opponent's material ability and willingness to continue operating. The approach was no clear route to victory because Japan's economic and geographic dilemma left no genuinely good choices against larger powers. The doctrine is framed as the least bad means of creating a measure of defensive viability, which is different from claiming it could win a prolonged total war.
Notable Point · 1:25:16-1:26:45
A defensively offensive doctrine and Japan's best bad option
The conclusion characterizes Japan's doctrine as offensive action in service of defence: repeated attacks were meant to erode enemy morale and capability because no better strategic option existed.