A Japanese harbor strike remains possible if the navy catches the Allied fleet at anchor. Who commands that operation would depend on Japanese internal politics as the war develops. Perceived defeats could make the army more militant and increase pressure on naval leaders. Yonai moved Yamamoto to Combined Fleet partly to protect him from a feared army assassination. The counterfactual therefore cannot assume that Yamamoto takes the same command at the same time as he did historically.
Notable Point · 1:39:01-1:39:42
Japanese fleet command depends on political pressure ashore
Military setbacks and threats to naval leaders could change who commands Japan's fleet during the counterfactual war.