Initial Command Structure:
Ship's captain: Commander Ogata Tomoe (prev. C.O. ISONAMI). Assigned to Desdiv 18, Desron 2, Second Fleet.

18-22 November 1941:
Steamed with Desron 1 from Saeki to Etorofu (Kuriles).

7 December:
Escorted Admiral Nagumo's carrier striking force for the attack on Pearl Harbor; detached to guard 2nd Supply Force tankers prior to the attack, rejoined fleet after; arrived in Kure 24 December.

8-14 January 1942:
Escorted carrier force from Japan to Truk.

20 January:
Escorted carrier force in air strikes on Rabaul.

23 January:
Escorted AKAGI and KAGA covering Rabaul/Kavieng landings, then returned to Truk 27 January.

1-8 February:
Escorted carrier force in pursuit of U.S. carriers, then to Palau.

9-13 February:
Escorted ZUIKAKU from Palau to Yokosuka, then training and defensive patrols in home waters.

17-24 March:
Escorted SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU from Yokosuka to Staring Bay (Celebes).

27 March:
Departed Staring Bay, escorting carrier force in Indian Ocean raids.

5 April:
Air strikes on Colombo.

9 April:
Air strikes on Trincomalee.

23 April:
Arrived in Kure from Southern operations, then docked for repairs.

21-25 May:
Steamed with Desron 2 from Kure to Saipan.

3-6 June: Battle of Midway
Escorted Midway troop convoy.

17-23 June:
Escorted KUMANO and SUZUYA from Truk to Kure.

28 June-4 July:
Escorted CHIYODA on transport mission from Yokosuka to Kiska.

5 July:
Sunk: by USS GROWLER (SS-215) seven miles east of Kiska Harbor (52 N, 177-40 E); struck amidships by torpedo, blew up and sank; 104 dead; 42 survivors, including Commander Ogata (to ComSCDiv 56, later X.O. KISO, C.O. AKIZUKI), rescued by boats from crippled SHIRANUHI.[1]

31 July 1942:
Removed from Navy List.

[1] Editorial Note - The torpedo struck the port side at 0255, and Arare immediately jacknifed and began to sink. Apparently her torpedoes did not explode, for her wreck was located in June 2007 revealing the point of break to be under No.1 TT in front of No.2 stack, but the tubes were intact. - (Tully)