Japan could favour carrier construction in this scenario because carriers concentrate firepower with limited resources. Destroyers and torpedo boats offer comparable ways to offset an opponent's strength. Carriers suit the Japanese plan to wear down an approaching enemy before a decisive battle. Preparatory attrition reduces the enemy's strength and helps create favourable conditions for the main fleet engagement. Decisive battle therefore depends on other parts of naval doctrine, including attrition and the preference for large ships with large guns.
Notable Point · 48:53-50:05
Japanese carriers support attrition before decisive battle
Carriers fit an offset strategy that weakens the enemy before the main fleet engagement.