They can then provide extra CAP for the Fleet CVs it accompanies. One might say: I loose 12 Kates that way!
The Japs generally have enough offensive striking power, because of the quality of their pilots. You lack fighters - that´s a solution! In other situations you can then order your Fighter group on land again and take over a D3A group and do some ASW opertions with the Carrier. These CVL´s allow you quite flexible operation - use it. (wouldn´t do the same with CVs)
Moreover cramp your CV Tfs with effective gun platforms. Especially the early jap DDs (Mutsukis, Kamikazes) are useful for this - they have DP main guns. The later Special/fleet DDs don´t have DPs (except Akitsukis - which all should be used for CV escort!) So make up a big CV TF of at least on DD Div of modern and one DD Div of Mutsuki/Kamikaze DDs. That extra FlaK of 25mm and 4.7" IS effective! Also use one CS in these TFs - they can free attack planes from search duty as the float planes from the CS take over. In other occasions they can provide ASW for the TF! Useful! Same for AVs and invasion TFs. They can provide ASW, search and aviation support for A6M2-Ns at the captured/supplied base.
APDs are also very useful ships on the jap side - they are good DEs because of their massive ammount of DC throwers. Just make sure they get some experience.
Minekaze DDs aren´t useless, despite the fact they are short ranged and don´t have DCs. They can be used as FlaK support for Transport TFs (like the PGs), as Fast Transport (my favored usage) and as anti - PT fighters. They are difficult to hit for torpdoes fired from PTs - these tiny Minekaze DDs are quite maneuvrable, still their 4.7" DP guns are far superior in firing power to the PTs. Don´t use these DDs in the usual surface battles.
For ASW: When you have time, say the Allied player must stay down for some weeks,because of losses allways make ASW, not only with your LBA, also with your ships.----------->
Create a CV Tf with (my prefered selection following
) a Junyo class CV (with its general loadout) , a CVL (prefer Zuiho/Ryuho class) and equip it with a bomber group only (27 planes - experience very important for succesful ASW attacks). Add one or two CS to that TF (the 40 float planes add massive to the ASW). Then add some 10 to 15 of your finest DDs to that task force (in regards of experience, DC type ...type 95 DC prefered of course, and DC throwers.... DDs with rails and throwers are better than those with rails only).Then move them in a "sub - hotspot". Depending on your opponents options (some Subs on auto??) they come to get slaughtered. DOn´t get frustrated if it ain´t working instantly -take your time. With these Jap Hunter-Killer groups I get sometimes 3-5 subs in a operation (3 or 4 weeks). The success highly depends on the density of subs in the area and the experience of your crews/AGs.
So if you got pletny of sub reports, say, south of Rabaul, you now know what you can do to counter it. But in god´s name stay out of enemy CV, LBA with this ASW group or you will see your units slaughtered. Junyo´s CAP is the only Air defence of them.