In the words of (British Major General) J. F. C. Fuller, on the outcome of the Battle of Leyte Gulf:
The Japanese fleet had ceased to exist, and, except by land-based aircraft, their opponents had won undisputed command of the sea. When Admiral Ozawa was questioned on the battle after the war he replied: "After this battle the surface forces became strictly auxiliary, so that we relied on land forces, special [Kamikaze] attack, and air power ... There was no further use assigned to surface vessels, with the exception of some special ships."And "Admiral Mitsumasa Yoni, Navy Minister of the Koiso Cabinet, said he realized that the defeat at Leyte 'was tantamount to the loss of the Philippines.' As for the larger significance of the battle, he said, 'I felt that it was the end.'"
For those who aren't aware, after the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Imperial Japanese Navy was finished as a fighting force.
The Japanese decided to go all-in, one huge push, at Leyte and paid the final price.