A proposed alternative would have used the years before the London treaty to build more large destroyers. HMS Hood supplies the claimed precedent: newly built ships could be retained despite falling awkwardly outside treaty restrictions. On that interpretation, an existing force of large destroyers would have strengthened Japan's position when later limits were negotiated. This remains a counterfactual building policy and assessment of negotiating opportunities. Under the later restrictions, preserving speed and armament on a smaller hull instead forced a reduction in range.
Notable Point · 59:49-1:01:18
Could Japan have built more large destroyers before London?
A treaty counterfactual argues that earlier large-destroyer construction might have eased Japan's later design compromises.