The Japanese wanted to expand their control by taking all of New Guinea and occupying the Solomon Islands because it would provide a security perimeter around the Dutch East Indies. They sailed one to Tulagi, which is in the Solomon Islands. They sailed another South towards their base, Port Moresby, in New Guinea. When the U.S. got news that the Japanese had arrived in Tulagi the commander in chief dispatched carriers to go protect Port Moresby.

The Japanese navy strategy was to invade Asia and Australia. They later decided to isolate and neutralize Australia and India rather than invade them.

Hickman, Kennedy. "World War II: Battle of the Coral Sea." About Education. Kennedy Hickman, n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2015.

Clancey, Patrick. "Part One: The Battle of the Coral Sea." A Priceless Advantage. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2015.

The Japanese were seeking to control the Coral Sea but lost. These results had an important impact upon the Battle of Midway a month later, reducing Japanese forces available at that key battle. One thing that was significant about this battle at the time was that they believed that this battle saved Australia from being attacked.

Lewis, Robert. "The Battle for Australia - Battle of the Coral Sea." The Battle for Australia - Battle of the Coral Sea. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015.

There were four different groups that took part in the fight over the four days. They consisted of 

-Japanese Port Moresby Invasion Group. They used a small aircraft carrier.

-Allied Task Force 44 consisted of a group of Allied warships

-two aircraft carriers, the USS Lexington and the USS Yorktown

-Japanese Carrier Striking Force

geography play a factor?

http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/ww2/bfa/coralsea.html

They both used planes to fight this war. Japanese Navy continue spearheading territorial gain. America had launched bombers from two American aircraft carriers the Enterprise and the Hornet that had bombed Tokyo. The attack on Port Moresby in New Guinea was considered very important by the Japanese as its success would isolate Australia and New Guinea.