Incidentally I have been reading an excellent background on the subject. https://www.amazon.com/Kaigun-Strategy-Technology-Imperial-1887-1941/dp/159114244X/ref

Incidentally I have been reading an excellent background on the subject. https://www.amazon.com/Kaigun-Strategy-Technology-Imperial-1887-1941/dp/159114244X/ref=asc_df_159114244X_nodl?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312087807240&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2270927600047686749&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027691&hvtargid=pla-460549084475&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61316180119&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312087807240&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2270927600047686749&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027691&hvtargid=pla-460549084475&dplnkId=f58b12cc-3e4a-4662-9b1d-4b9a06c5d701 https://www.amazon.com/Kaigun-Strategy-Technology-Imperial-1... It doesn’t answer the question on USN motivations but does a great job explaining why the Japanese were stuck in a rut and rapidly surpassed in terms of tactics, morale, and skill.