During the battles for Guadalcanal and New Guinea in late 1942, what was the major Japanese base in the southwest Pacific?

Rabaul served as the major Japanese base in the southwest Pacific during the battles for Guadalcanal and New Guinea in late 1942. Strategically located on the island of New Britain, Rabaul was crucial for the Japanese as it provided a strong offensive position against Allied forces in the region. The base was heavily fortified and served as a key logistics and supply hub for Japanese operations across the Pacific. Its significance was amplified further by the presence of a large harbor and airfield capabilities, making it a pivotal point for air and naval operations.

While Truk was also an important Japanese base in Micronesia, Rabaul was specifically integral to the campaigns occurring in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea at that time. The other options do not relate to major bases during this specific operational period, as Yamamoto refers to a person (Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto), and Tahiti does not have relevance to the military strategies employed by Japan in the southwest Pacific during World War II.