How could Britain avoid defeat by superior Japanese torpedo bombers?

How could the Royal Navy avoid defeat by superior Japanese torpedo bombers?

By beginning with a distant blockade. Britain could interrupt Japan's overseas supplies while protecting its own trade and building up its fleet, delaying the close encounter on which Japan's plan depended.

The challenge assumes that Britain must immediately fight within reach of Japan's strongest carrier aircraft. Japan's plan instead waits for an approaching enemy, while Britain's plan starts with cruisers enforcing a distant blockade. Merchant-shipping intelligence helps Britain interrupt supplies around the world. Protecting Singapore keeps the bulk of British trade behind the fleet's main base, allowing economic pressure and mobilization before a major battle. Japanese aviation remains dangerous when the fleets meet, but its performance alone does not determine when Britain must accept that encounter.