ORIGINAL: Aurorus
Keep in mind also that you picked this game up in late 1943, and the previous allied player had neglected the long, slow logistic build-up that allows the allies to put continuos pressure on Japan's forces (especially their air force) throughout 1943 into 1944. So, Obvert had more time and comfort than many Japanese players to build his pools, train his pilots, refit his ground units, and develop his R&D program. You have only had 1 year to accomplish what the allies normally do in 2 years.
It certainly didn't help. However 1944 is on me and I've easily wasted four to five months of it. Burma has been a complete debacle on my part. The only positive spin I can put on Burma is the fact Erik has committed a large number of units to it's defence, including pretty much all his armour.
The second eight hex strike really hurt, not in terms of losses, but rather the delay it caused and my reaction to it. The course of how the game might have played out changed instantly as a result, and more importantly how I'd play moving forward.
All the setbacks are behind me and I'm moving forward without dragging along any further baggage. I'm behind, but I now have the logistics in place to support any operation I choose to mount. I just need to avoid providing any more freebies to Erik and finally get at his carriers.