The Japanese were conducting operations across the Pacific and every battle they fought around that time they were out numbed in.
Plus I think it was intended that Force Z would operate along side US, Australian and Dutch forces once everyone got their act together. With Force Z ABDA Com would have had something like 1 CV (Force Z was intended to have one), 2 BBs, 3 Heavy Cruisers, 3 Light Cruisers, 13 Destroyers. Not bad really.
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