Churchill would distribute Japanese strength across several fleets

Alexandria already held a substantial French naval presence alongside the British fleet, limiting the space available for Japanese reinforcements. Britain also needed fast ships in the Atlantic, where they could support Hood, Renown, Repulse, and the new King George V-class battleships. Japanese units could therefore join Force H at Gibraltar, operate with the Home Fleet from Scapa Flow, or form a smaller Mediterranean reinforcement. Refits and Japan's continuing responsibilities at home would limit what could be released. Churchill would also have to manage conflicting Commonwealth interests. Australia and New Zealand feared Japan, while Canada worried that stronger imperial defence arrangements would antagonise the United States.