Concentrated command and Shimada's personal responsibility

Shimada appears as an unassuming officer with a strong desire for power, despite lacking the professional status associated with supreme command. He devoted considerable effort to securing both the Navy Ministry and leadership of the naval staff. The accountability argument is that a minister could blame a separate staff chief, while combining the offices removed that opportunity. The verdict therefore holds Shimada responsible for how he used the authority he sought. Its reference to Leyte Gulf is a misplaced example, since that battle occurred after he left the staff post.