Japanese planning for a decisive fleet battle did not match the war Japan was fighting. Kantai Kessen expected American forces to advance through attrition by submarines and island-based aircraft before the Japanese battle fleet pounced. The concept resembled the German risk-fleet idea, which also depended on isolating and destroying a manageable portion of a larger enemy. The United States followed an island-hopping version of Scott's Anaconda Plan, moving logistics and air bases forward while blockade pressure and industrial output continued to grow. Periods spent regrouping strengthened the American fleet instead of giving Japan relief. The Marianas became a decisive location after Japan's early-war advantages and replacement capacity had already eroded.
Notable Point · 8:37-24:59
Kantai Kessen meets American strategy
The strategy chapter contrasts Japan's hoped-for decisive battle with America's island-hopping blockade logic and industrial buildup.