Would Japan attack carrier-equipped Force Z without fighter cover?

If Force Z included a carrier, would the Japanese attack immediately or wait for fighter cover?

They would probably attack immediately because fighter cover was unavailable at that range and their training emphasized aggressive massed attacks against valuable ships.

Waiting for escort would concede the immediate opportunity against a capital ship and carrier. Land-based fighters could not accompany the strike at the ranges involved, so delay would not quickly solve the escort problem. The Japanese force had trained for aggressive anti-shipping attacks and would likely try to overwhelm the defense with numbers. That choice exposes unescorted bombers to Indomitable's radar-directed fighters but fits the aggressive training of the striking force.