Pearl Harbor

Devastating as it was, the Pearl Harbor attack was not a complete success for Japan. Although Genda was enraged that a second attack was abandoned (because the first had produced such good results), the truth is Genda's main objective was never accomplished. The American aircraft carrier fleet remained undamaged and intact.

But there was more. Genda had never considered wiping out America's fuel storage, power plant and Navy repair yard in the surprise attack. With those vital basics unharmed, America repaired the damage and continued the fight. Later, Genda told Prange he had other plans for those key supports and for Hawaii. In Pearl Harbor: The Verdict of History (at page 505), we learn those plans:

If only they had listened to me, we would have invaded Hawaii. After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the other Oahu installations we could have taken Honolulu pretty easily.

Genda's strategy - in his opinion - would have caused Australia to fall under Japanese control. But he did not stop there. As he later stated:

I was also in favor of bombing the American aircraft factories and oil refineries on the California coast. In December 1941 we could have bombed San Diego, Long Beach, Portland and Seattle without much opposition.