Britain's proposals included 25,000-ton battleships with 12-inch guns and 22,000-ton ships with 11-inch guns, measured at standard displacement. Japan proposed 25,000 tons and 14-inch guns while keeping its aggregate allowance. A 315,000-ton ceiling could accommodate twelve 25,000-ton ships with tonnage left over. Reducing the individual ship limit therefore offered a way to obtain more hulls without increasing the national total.
Notable Point · 2:10:48-2:11:55
Smaller battleships increase hull numbers within a fixed tonnage allowance
Individual displacement limits and aggregate tonnage could be negotiated separately, allowing more smaller battleships within the same ceiling.