:Well, to begin with, I'm not a U.S. editor, so no bias that direction. 
 :It was a strategic failure because IJN didn't achieve its planned result, neutralizing the PacFlt. Neutralized fleets don't place significant units in enemy home waters within 3 wks of being "devestated", nor take part in two major fleet actions 6 mo or so later. PacFlt did all 3: Joe Grenfell's Archerfish was in Empire Waters by 25/12, & U.S. CVs fought at Coral Sea in 5/42 & Midway 6/42. 
 :It was a grand strategic failure because it brought the U.S. into war with Japan that led to Japan's complete destruction as an Asian power, the exact opposite of its intent. 
 :"otherwise catastrophic defeat" That's a common fiction. It wasn't anything like "catastrophic", per above, & the really crucial targets, which would have made it a "catastrophic defeat", were completely ignored by IJN, in planning & execution. 
 :Did I miss anything?