What tactic did the U.S. utilize to reduce Japanese strongholds and advance toward the mainland?

The tactic of Island Hopping was crucial for the United States during World War II as it allowed Allied forces to strategically bypass heavily fortified Japanese positions while capturing weaker ones. By focusing on key islands in the Pacific, the U.S. could establish military bases and supply lines, creating a pathway toward the Japanese mainland. This approach not only conserved resources and manpower but also facilitated rapid advances and established air and naval superiority.

In contrast, a naval blockade would have involved surrounding Japan and cutting off supplies, which could have been a lengthy and risky strategy. Submarine warfare, while significant in disrupting Japanese supply routes, did not provide the same direct path toward military targets as Island Hopping did. Guerrilla tactics were typically associated with smaller, unconventional forces and were not the primary method employed by the organized military campaigns of the U.S. against Japan. Thus, Island Hopping stands out as the most effective and direct strategy for the U.S. in reducing Japanese strongholds and moving closer to the Japanese home islands.