TOKUSETSU KANSEN! - The IJN's Merchant Auxiliaries

Prior to, and during the Pacific War, the Japanese Navy requisitioned many merchant ships from their owners for conversion to auxiliary warships. The types of ships taken over by the IJN varied from sleek passenger liners to tug boats. They were converted to meet pressing military needs for troop transports, hospital ships, aircraft transports, supply ships, repair ships and many other wartime uses. This page also leads to one purpose-built ship - the IJA's crane ship SEISHU.


Zatsuyosen! - Transports


Kokuki-Umpansen! - Aircraft Transports


Kyuryokan! - Supply and Special Service Ships


Kyuheikan! - Ammunition Ships


Kosakukan! - Repair Ships


Hyotekikan - Target Ships


Suirai-Bokan! - Auxiliary Destroyer Tenders


Kokansen - Diplomatic and Exchange Vessels


Kyunansen - Salvage and Repair Vessels


Sokuryosen - Hydrographic Survey Vessels


Ryoshokusen - Prisoner of War Relief Supply Ships


Saihyokan - Icebreakers


Byoinsen - Hospital Ships


Kyusuisen - Water Ships


Kyutanyusen - Collier Tankers


Kyutansen - Colliers


Kyuryosen - Storeships


Kyusetsumokan - Netlayers


Kokai Hokan - Auxiliary Gunboats


Fusetsutei - Auxiliary small Minelayers


Sempaku Uneikai Shiyosen - Government Requisitioned Ships


Koseki Umpansen - Ore Carriers


Kijukisen - Imperial Army Crane Ship


Tetsusei Dai Hatsudotei - IJA Landing Craft Depot Ships


Rikugun - Imperial Army Transports


Bibliography of Sources