The operational cost of Japan's specialized warships

Were Japan's specialized frontline warships innovative, or evidence of tunnel vision?

Both interpretations miss the main tradeoff: specialization fit Japan's narrower strategy but left too little flexibility when ships were unavailable.

The Imperial Japanese Navy optimized ships for specific roles within Southeast Asia and its part of the Pacific rather than for worldwide operations. That narrower geography made specialization appear efficient. Individual designs could be excellent in their intended task. Limited numbers nevertheless meant the navy could not always place the required type where it was needed, while another specialist could be poorly suited to substitute.