Initial Command Structure:
Ship's captain: Lieutenant Commander Shibayama Kazuo. Assigned to Desdiv 22, Desron 5, Third Fleet.

26-29 November 1941:
Steamed with Desron 5 from Terashima Strait to Mako (Pescadores).

7-10 December:
Departed Mako, then with Aparri (Philippines) invasion force.

22 December:
With Lingayen invasion force. Light damage: in air attacks due to strafing: one dead, five injured.

January-February 1942:
Escorted troop convoys from Formosa to Malaya and Camranh Bay.

27 February:
With Western Java invasion force.

10 March:
Desron 5 deactivated; Desdiv 22 reassigned to Second Southern Expeditionary Fleet, Southwest Area Fleet.

10 April:
Desdiv 22 reassigned to 1st Surface Escort Division, Southwest Area Fleet; then Southwest Area convoy escort duties.

15 April:
Lieutenant Commander Shibayama (to C.O. SUZUKAZE) relieved by Lieutenant Commander Ninokata Kanehumi (prev. C.O. SAWAKAZE).

19 September:
Arrived Sasebo, then docked for refitting.

1 November:
Departed Moji, then resumed Southwest Area convoy escort duties.

10 December:
Desdiv 22 deactivated; reassigned directly to 1st Surface Escort Division.

21-29 January 1943:
Escorted seaplane carrier KAMIKAWA MARU from Sasebo via Truk and Rabaul to the Shortlands.

1 February:
Troop evacuation run to Guadalcanal (cover).

4 February:
Troop evacuation run to Guadalcanal (cover); towed disabled MAIKAZE back to Shortlands.

7 February:
Troop evacuation run to Russell Islands (cover). Assisted damaged ISOKAZE.

11-17 February:
Escorted convoys from Shortlands via Rabaul to Palau.

21-24 February:
Escorted troop convoy from Palau to Wewak, then to Truk on 28 February.

25 February:
Assigned to reactivated Desdiv 22, Desron 3, Eighth Fleet.

3-5 March:
Escorted transport MOGAMIGAWA MARU from Truk to Rabaul.

8 March:
Troop transport run to Kolombangara.

13 March:
Troop transport run to Kolombangara.

30 March:
Troop transport run to Finschhafen, aborted due to air attack.

8 April:
Troop transport run to Surumi/Gasmata.

21-25 April:
Possibly escorted SENDAI towing AOBA from Kavieng to Truk.

4 May:
Led troop transport run to Surumi/Gasmata.

8 May:
Led troop transport run to Surumi/Gasmata.

11 May:
Led troop transport run to Surumi/Gasmata.

23 May:
Led troop transport run to Surumi/Gasmata.

28-29 May:
Led troop transport run to Kolombangara, aborted. Minor damage: grounded on reef southeast of Bougainville.

29 May:
Led troop transport run to Kolombangara, aborted due to air attack.

31 May:
Led troop transport run to Kolombangara.

1 June:
Lieutenant Commander Ninokata (to C.O. WAKABA) relieved by Lieutenant Commander Furukawa Tameo.

2 June:
Led troop transport run to Kolombangara.

6 June:
Led troop transport run to Tuluvu.

8 June:
Led troop transport run to Tuluvu.

29 June:
Led troop transport run to Kolombangara, aborted due to air attack.

30 June:
Rendova bombardment mission, aborted due to weather.

2 July:
Rendova bombardment mission.

4-5 July:
Troop transport run to Kolombangara, aborted when U.S. ships were encountered. Contributed torpedoes to spread that sank USS STRONG (DD-467).

5-6 July: Battle of Kula Gulf
Troop transport run to Kolombangara. Sunk: after sustaining one 6-inch shell hit during battle, grounded on Kolombangara near Bambari Harbor (08-02 S, 157-12 E) while attempting to land troops. SATSUKI removed Comdesdiv 22 (Captain Kanaoka Kunizo) and attempted to pull free, but without success. Irreparably damaged by U.S. aircraft on 6 July; eight dead and 13 injured. Survivors, including Lieutenant Commander Furukawa (to C.O. YUNAGI) and troops, later reached Vila on foot.

1 October 1943:
Removed from Navy List.