The counterfactual makes the small carrier part of fleet design. Once sub-10,000-ton vessels cover reconnaissance and fighter-control duties, Japan's treaty-limited fleet carriers can concentrate on strike power and air-group efficiency. Four carriers of roughly 20,000 tons are weighed against three ships of 27,000 tons, with the extra hull remaining attractive under treaty limits. Leaving the treaty system later would reopen the option of building the larger design in series. A successful minor type could therefore change the size and role of the navy's primary striking ships.
Notable Point · 2:20-3:17
Small carriers free Japan's strike-carrier tonnage
Small reconnaissance carriers could let Japan concentrate its fleet-carrier allowance on strike power, with four 20,000-ton ships competing against three of 27,000 tons.