 The Japanese decided to withdraw and concede Guadalcanal to Allied forces for several reasons . All attempts by the Japanese army to recapture Henderson Field , the airfield on Guadalcanal in use by Allied aircraft , had been repulsed with heavy losses . Japanese ground forces on the island were beginning to die in large numbers from starvation and lack of adequate medical care . Japanese naval forces in the area were also suffering heavy losses attempting to reinforce and resupply the ground forces on the island . These losses , plus the projected resources needed for more attempts to recapture Guadalcanal , were affecting strategic security and operations in other areas of the Japanese Empire . The decision to withdraw was endorsed by Emperor Hirohito on 31 December 1942 . 
