The Japanese were aware, via signals intelligence, of the large-scale movement of Allied forces in the South Pacific area but concluded that the Allies were reinforcing Australia and perhaps Port Moresby in New Guinea.
Japanerna var medvetna om de storskaliga allierade truppförflyttningarna i södra Stilla havet genom signalspaning, men drog slutsatsen att de allierade förstärkte Australien eller möjligen Port Moresby i Nya Guinea.