Taking Midway was easier than sustaining it against American return

Could Japan have captured, held, and made useful use of Midway after a decisive victory over the United States Navy?

Capture was possible, but holding and developing the island was doubtful because American industry would rebuild a larger force and return, while Japan had to sustain the exposed garrison across the Pacific.

Winning the carrier battle could create the local conditions for a Japanese landing. The harder task would be supplying, fortifying, and defending Midway while American forces rebuilt. Opponents of Britain and the United States faced an asymmetric industrial problem: defeating a force often caused it to withdraw temporarily and return in greater strength. An isolated island base is useful only if its navy can maintain the sea line and defeat that return.