Your detection phase comes in early, while the enemy is out of range. Later on, the japanese get their detection phase, when their ships are closer to you, detect and start damaging you with some suprise torpedo attacks. The japanese have a free shot before you may respond. Lower speeds make better targets, but you have more control over where they will be when combat takes place. US strengths are in their gunnery, which means that the US have to close in to make good use of their firepower, but with the risk of losing several ships to torpedoes.
Limited intelligence is handled in a very simple way, which provides for a lot of replayability.
4 historical scenarios are provided, which all have a high replay value, thanks to the hidden for ce system. A scenario generation system is provided, which allows you to design a seemingly infinite number of situations in a few die rolls. As a result, Tokyo Express is probably the most replayable game I have seen. I can only recommend getting a copy of this game.