Name Translation: "New Moon"


31 March 1943:
Completed at Nagasaki. Ship's captain: Commander Kaneda Kiyoshi [50] (prev. C.O. HAYASHIO).

1 April:
Assigned to Desron 11, First Fleet, for training.

18 May:
Left Kure for Yokosuka in response to U.S. invasion of Attu. Later returned to Kure.

31 May:
Assigned to Eighth Fleet.

16-21 June:
Left Kure for Yokosuka 8 June, then escorted task force to Truk.

23-25 June:
With SUZUKAZE and ARIAKE, escorted KUMANO and SUZUYA on troop transport (5^th and 28th AA Defense Units) run to Rabaul; then became flagship of Comdesron 3 (Rear Admiral Akiyama Teruo [41]).

1 July:
Left Rabaul for Shortlands.

2 July:
Led Rendova bombardment mission (cover); engaged U.S. PT-boats.

4-5 July:
Led 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
Led troop transport run to Kolombangara (cover). Sunk: by gunfire of U.S. cruiser-destroyer group, five miles east of Kolombangara (7-57 S, 157-12 E). Number of survivors unknown; Commander Kaneda and Admiral Akiyama killed in action.

10 September 1943:
Removed from Navy List.