Japan's long Pacific sea routes demanded ships with the range and freedom of movement that confined European waters did not require to the same degree. The Kongō class combined reconnaissance and trade interdiction with an armoured wing that could support the battle line. That combination influenced its subdivision and construction as well as its speed and armament. In this interpretation, later subdivision changes brought one extensively rebuilt member closer to a fast battleship, although its position remains a judgement on a spectrum. The class's changing classification therefore depended on internal construction and intended employment as well as headline specifications.
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Kongō class for the Pacific and battle line
Japan needed battlecruisers that could cover Pacific distances, protect or interdict sea lanes, and reinforce a battle line short of battleships.