Hunting British battlecruisers in the Pacific

How could Japan have deterred British battlecruisers from attacking merchant traffic?

Japan would need several hunting groups built around Kongō-class ships and heavy cruisers, ideally with carriers, because isolated cruisers could not safely face the raiders.

Fast commerce raiders would impose a substantial force-structure burden on Japan. Several hunting groups centred on Kongō-class ships and heavy cruisers would be needed, ideally reinforced by carriers. If the carriers and Kongōs remained concentrated with the main strike force, less capable cruiser groups would have to face the raiders instead. Although Renown and Repulse carried six 15-inch guns and Hood eight, the hunters still had to be strong enough for Hood, so the less likely encounter dictated group composition. Hypothetical triple 15-inch turrets on the British ships would intensify the mismatch. Even a small number of battlecruisers could therefore force Japan to concentrate its hunters, reduce coverage elsewhere, and wear those forces through repeated patrols.