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Why did the Battle of Leyte Gulf end Japan’s ability to carry out major naval offensives?

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Map showing the territorial expansion of the Japanese Empire from 1870 to 1942 across East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The map uses color codes to indicate the original Japanese territory in 1870, subsequent acquisitions, and the farthest extent of Japanese occupation and conquest by 1942, including parts of China, Korea, Manchuria, Southeast Asia, and numerous Pacific islands. An inset map displays the broader reach of Japanese control at its peak. — Empire of Japan The Empire of Japan, 1870–1942.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 23–26, 1944) effectively ended Japan’s capacity to conduct major naval offensives because it resulted in the catastrophic destruction of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s remaining surface fleet.12

During the operation, known as "Sho-Go" or "Victory Operation," the Japanese Navy suffered staggering losses, including 3 battleships, 1 large aircraft carrier, 3 light carriers, 6 heavy cruisers, 4 light cruisers, and 11 destroyers. These losses were so severe that the Japanese Navy was reduced to "vestigial strength" and essentially ceased to exist as a viable offensive force.12

The battle was a decisive failure for Japan, as the plan to lure U.S. carriers away while surface forces bombarded the landing site at Leyte failed to inflict significant damage on the Allied invasion fleet. Following these losses, the Japanese were unable to recover their naval power, which cleared the way for the U.S. occupation of the Philippines and reinforced Allied control of the Pacific theater.324