The Japanese naval forces now comprised four carriers, because Hiyō had suffered an accidental, damaging fire in her engine room on 22 October that forced her to return to Truk for repairs.
Den japanske styrke omfattede 4 hangarskibe, fordi Hiyō ved et uheld var blevet ramt af brand den 22. oktober, hvilket havde tvunget den til at vende tilbage til Truk for at blive repareret.