[1] To date there has remained modest uncertainty whether Niizuki's famous `first use' referred to an actual radar set or merely use of a radar detector. However, while most records regarding the destroyer are apparently lost, an important post-battle lessons summary gives retroactive evidence. It affirms use of radar in specific, and adds important information. When combined with the evidence of Niizuki's wreck now located (see Note 2) the probability is that Niizuki indeed mounted a Type 21 radar and her rigging overall resembled that of a late 1943-early 1944 Akizuki-class. The editor theorizes that it is entirely likely that an important `brain-trust' of experienced officers was lost with Niizuki that has not been realized. The captured document "Japanese Battle Lesson-Torpedoes_1944" shows Niizuki had radar, preserving an extract of a report otherwise lost. This document reads:

- 2305 While proceeding through Kula Gulf on 5 July 1943 the Niizuki detected by radar what seemed to be surface units broad on the port beam.
- 2306 Again, Niizuki detected what seemed to be northward bound ships on the port beam, bearing 100 degrees at 5 kilometers.
- 2348 An enemy surface force was sighted. "In view of the situation thereafter, the radar bearings were remarkably accurate. However, the Niizuki incurred the radar controlled fire of an enemy Brooklyn-class cruiser, lost the initiative and finally had communications disrupted by the hail of shells."

[2] On April 17, 2019 Vulcan Inc. posted video that RV Petrel had located the wreck of Niizuki in Kula Gulf at 745 meters depth. The wreck lies upright buried in the seabed about to the waterline. The prow is missing its upper decks and the forward part of the ship, the anchor deck, and particularly the starboard bow is demolished by what looks like very large induced explosions. They could be large shells exploding inside or torpedo hits; however, the segment is still attached to the main hull so it seems unlikely the forward magazines exploded per-se. The forward turrets are still approximatley in-situ but No.2 is toppled toward starboard and trained in while No.1 is trained to starboard and the foc'sle deck attachd to bent over less. However, the the bridge is almost entirely leveled and demolished. It looks almost like a giant's foot has stepped on it - giving mute testimony of the hail of 6-inch and 5-inch hits that killed Akiyama and crippled Niizuki early. However, appearing to confirm the clue that she recovered briefly the aft turrets are trained to starboard around 75 degrees relative to engage and are riddled with shell hits in turn. The torpedo tube mount is trained in, and had not exploded. In fact, it appears to be in reload posture, and the indications are that Niizuki had already fired a salvo of torpedoes successfully. This would be in line with doctrine to not open gun-fire until having done so and it is known the flagship had a firm fix on the enemy. The torpedo reload housing is present but heavily eroded. The fantail is fire damaged and holed, but the rudder and propellers are intact. Though the stack is gone, the AA platforms remain in place showing Niizuki had indeed received the latest upgrades of the class. Most fatefully of all, by some miracle the foremast still stands proudly in place, having survived both shelling and sinking. It stands almost intact some 20 meters above an otherwise almost leveled forward superstructure. This clearly shows the late rig radar platform and mounting and possibly some remains of the radar itself just linger. It is notable the rudder is not jammed hard over and neither it or the two propellers show obvious damage. It is not unlikely Niizuki remained navigable initially from aft after losing helm control from forward. The condition of the wreck matches the last known observations and tends to support the speculation that U.S. destroyer gunfire or torpedoes abruptly finished Niizuki off not long after her last 0011 radio message.