List of Japanese Navy ships and war vessels in World War II

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This List of Japanese Naval ships and war vessels in World War II is a list of seafaring vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy of World War II. It includes submarines, battleships, oilers, minelayers and other types of Japanese sea vessels of war and naval ships used during wartime.

Aircraft carrier[]

Heavy carriers[]

Fleet Carrier (11)
Class Picture Type Ships (Years in Service) Displacement Note
Akagi-class Akagi 2.jpg Aircraft carrier Akagi (1927–1942) 36,500 tonnes Converted from an Amagi-class battlecruiser. Sunk at Midway on June 5, 1942
Kaga-class Kaga after Modernization Aircraft carrier Kaga (1928–1942) 38,200 tonnes Converted from a Tosa-class battleship. Sunk at Midway on June 4, 1942
Sōryū-class IJN Sōryū Aircraft carrier Sōryū (1937–1942)
Hiryū (1939–1942)
16,200 tonnes Hiryū is often considered to be a separated class. Sunk at Midway on June 5, 1942

Soryu took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Wake Island, and supported the conquest of the Dutch East Indies. She was sunk at Midway on June 4, 1942

Shōkaku-class Shōkaku Aircraft carrier Shōkaku (1941–1944)
Zuikaku (1941–1944)
25,675 tonnes With the exception of the Battle of Midway, Shōkaku and Zuikaku participated in every major naval action of the Pacific War, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Indian Ocean Raid, the Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Guadalcanal Campaign. Both carriers were sunk during the 1944 Pacific campaigns.
Unryū-class Unryū on 16 July 1944 Aircraft carrier Unryū (1944–1944)
Amagi (1944–1945)
Katsuragi (1944–1945)
17,480 tonnes The design for these ships was based on the aircraft carrier Hiryū. IJN Planned to build 16 ships, however only 3 were completed and 2 almost completed (one of which was sunk as a target then salvaged and later scrapped) before the project was abandoned in favour of Shinano's construction. Unryū was sunk by the USS Redfish, Amagi capsized after air attacks and Katsuragi was the only heavy carrier to survive the war
Taihō-class Aircraft Carrier Taihō Aircraft carrier Taihō (1944–1944) 30,250 tonnes A bit of a break from traditional Japanese carrier design, Taiho was a heavily armoured carrier expected to withstand multiple bombs and torpedo strikes. However, design faults and poor damage control allowed it to be sunk with one torpedo from the USS Albacore on June 19, 1944
Shinano-class Aircraft Carrier Shinano Aircraft carrier Shinano (1944–1944) 65,800 tonnes Initially laid down as the third of the Yamato-class battleships, Shinano was converted into an aircraft carrier due to the Japanese defeat at Midway. She was sunk on November 29, 1944, by torpedoes from USS Archerfish.

Light carriers[]

Light Aircraft Carrier (9)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Hōshō-class Hōshō on 1922 Light aircraft carrier Hōshō (1922–1945) 7,470 tonnes First purpose-built carrier in the world. Scrapped 1946.
Ryūjō-class Ryūjō on 1934 Light aircraft carrier Ryūjō (1931–1942) 8,000 tonnes Sunk 1942.
Hiyō-class Jun'yō on 1945 Light aircraft carrier Hiyō (1942–1944)
Jun'yō (1942–1946)
24,150 tonnes Converted from an ocean liner in 1939. Hiyō sunk and Jun'yō scrapped 1946–1947.
Zuihō-class Zuihō on 1940 Light aircraft carrier Zuihō (1940–1944)
Shōhō (1939–1942)
11,443 tonnes Both sunk during WWII.
Chitose-class Chitose Light aircraft carrier Chitose (1938/1944–1944)
Chiyoda (1938/1944–1944)
11,200 tonnes Both ships were seaplane tenders before their conversion in 1943. Both ships sunk in 1944.
Ryūhō-class Ryūhō on 1942 Light aircraft carrier Ryūhō (1934/1942–1945) 16,700 tonnes Converted from the submarine tender Taigei 1941–1942. Recommissioned as Ryūhō 1942. Scrapped 1946.

Escort carriers[]

Escort Carrier (10)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Taiyō-class Taiyo Escort carrier Taiyō (1941–44)
Chūyō (1942–43)
Unyō (1942–44)
17,830 tonnes All sunk.
Kaiyō-class Kaiyo Escort carrier Kaiyō (1943–1945) 13,600 tonnes. Converted from ocean liner Argentina Maru. Scrapped 1946.
Shin'yō-class Aircraft carrier Shinyo.JPG Escort carrier Shin'yō (1943–1944) 17,500 tonnes
Akitsu Maru-class AkitsuMaru.jpg Escort carrier Akitsu Maru (1942–1944)
Nigitsu Maru (1942?–1944)
11,800 tonnes Operated by the Imperial Japanese Army. Worlds' first Amphibious Assault ships.
Shimane Maru-class ShimaneMaru-1945.jpg Escort carrier Shimane Maru (1945–1945) 11,989 tonnes
Yamashio Maru-class YamashioMaru-1945.jpg Escort carrier Yamashio Maru (1945–1945) 16,119 tonnes
Kumano Maru-class KumanoMaru-1945.jpg Escort carrier Kumano Maru (1945–1945) 8,258 tonnes Operated by Imperial Japanese Army.

Seaplane tenders[]

Seaplane Tender (9)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Nisshin-class Nisshin in speed testing, 1942 Seaplane tender Nisshin (1942–1943) 11,499 tonnes Also midget submarine carrier and minelayer
Kamikawa Maru-class Kamikawa Maru Seaplane tender Kamikawa Maru (1937–1943)
Kiyokawa Maru (1941–1946)
Kimikawa Maru (1937–1944)
Kunikawa Maru (1937–1945)
6,862 tonnes Hirokawa Maru of the same class was converted to auxiliary (anti-aircraft) cruiser instead of seaplane tender when impressed for Navy service
Akitsushima-class Akitsushima in 1942 Seaplane tender Akitsushima (1942–1944) 4,725 tonnes
Kamoi-class Kamoi in 1937 Seaplane tender Kamoi (1922-1947) 17,273 tonnes
Notoro-class Notoro in 1943 Seaplane tender Notoro (1934-1947) 15,647 tonnes Of 7 oilers in class, Notoro was converted to seaplane tender and Shiretoko to munition ship
Mizuho-class Mizuho in 1940 off Tateyama Seaplane tender Mizuho (1939-1942) 10,930 tonnes Also midget submarine carrier

Armoured vessels[]

Battlecruisers[]

Fast Battleship (4) - former battlecruisers
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Kongō-class Haruna in 1934, following her second reconstruction Fast battleship Kongō
Hiei
Kirishima
Haruna
32,156 tonnes Laid down and commissioned as Battlecruisers in early 20th century, remodelled into Battleships because of Washington Naval Treaty in the late 20' and into Fast Battleships in 1935, allowing them to accompany growing carrier force. All four were sunk during the war

Battleships[]

Battleship (8)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Fusō-class Fusō undergoing post-reconstruction trials. Battleship Fusō
Yamashiro
29,330 tonnes There was a plan to convert these ships into Aviation Battleships in 1943. The plan was cancelled and the two Ise-class battleships were converted instead.
Ise-class Hyūga during sea trials in 1943 Battleship Ise
Hyūga
27,384 tonnes Converted into Aviation Battleship in 1943.
Nagato-class Nagato lies at anchor in Brunei Bay, 21 October 1944, shortly before the Battle of Leyte Gulf Battleship Nagato
Mutsu
32,720 tonnes Both ships underwent significant modernization on 1934–1936, rebuilding the superstructure into the more familiar pagoda mast style.
Yamato-class Yamato on Trials Battleship Yamato
Musashi
69,988 tonnes 5 planned, 1 converted into an Aircraft carrier, 2 cancelled. Yamato was sunk during a one-way trip to Okinawa during operation Ten-Go. She never saw action there and was sunk by aircraft on the way.

Heavy cruisers[]

Heavy Cruiser (18)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Furutaka-class Japanese cruiser Furutaka.jpg Heavy cruiser Furutaka
Kako
7,100 tonnes
Aoba-class Nh97727.jpg Heavy cruiser Aoba
Kinugasa
7,100 tonnes Variation of the Furutaka class
Myōkō-class Myōkō trials 1941.jpg Heavy cruiser Myōkō
Nachi
Haguro
Ashigara
11,633 tonnes
Takao-class IJN Heavy Cruiser Takao.jpg Heavy cruiser Takao
Atago
Maya
Chōkai
11,633 tonnes Variation of the Myōkō class
Mogami-class Mogami running trials in 1935.jpg Heavy cruiser Mogami
Mikuma
Suzuya
Kumano
8,500 tonnes Suzuya and Kumano is Considered as Suzuya Sub-class.
Mogami considered as an Aviation Cruiser by IJN (1943).
Tone-class Japanese cruiser Tone.jpg Heavy cruiser Tone
Chikuma
11,213 tonnes Considered as Aviation Cruisers by IJN

Light cruisers[]

Light Cruiser (26)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Tenryū-class IJN Tenru in Yokosuka 1925.jpg Light cruiser Tenryū
Tatsuta
3,948 tonnes
Kuma-class IJN Kuma in 1930 off Tsingtao.jpg Light cruiser Kuma
Tama
Kitakami
Ōi
Kiso
5,500 tonnes Kitakami, Ōi and Kiso later converted to a torpedo cruiser under a short-lived Imperial Japanese Navy program.
Nagara-class Nagara.jpg Light cruiser Nagara
Isuzu
Yura
Natori
Kinu
Abukuma
5,570 tonnes
Yūbari-class Yubari - 19-N-9957.jpg Light cruiser Yūbari 2,890 t tonnes An experimental light cruiser.
Sendai-class Sendai-1.jpg Light cruiser Sendai
Jintsu
Naka
5,195 tonnes 8 planned; 5 cancelled.
Katori-class Katori-2.jpg Light cruiser Katori
Kashima
Kashii
5,890 tonnes 4 planned; 1 cancelled.

Originally served as a training ship.

Agano-class Japanese cruiser Agano.jpg Light cruiser Agano
Noshiro
Yahagi
Sakawa
6,652 tonnes
Ōyodo-class OyodoJun43.jpg Light cruiser Ōyodo 8,164 tonnes 2 planned; 1 cancelled.
Yasoshima-class Chinese cruiser PING-HAI in 1936.jpg Light cruiser Yasoshima 2,448 tonnes Served under the Republic of China Navy under the name of Ping Hai, until seized and re-floated in 1938 by IJN, having been sunk the year before.

Destroyers[]

Destroyers[]

Destroyer (169)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Momi-class Japanese destroyer Ashi.jpg Destroyer Momi | Kaya | Nashi | Take | Kaki | Tsuga | Nire | Kuri | Kiku | Aoi | Hagi | Fuji | Susuki | Hishi | Hasu | Warabi | Tade | Sumire | Tsuta | Ashi | Yomogi 850 tonnes 28 vessel planned 21 completed. 7 re-ordered as the new Wakatake-class. Relegated to mostly secondary roles.
Minekaze-class Japanese destroyer Minekaze Yokosuka Showa 7.jpg Destroyer Minekaze | Sawakaze | Okikaze | Shimakaze | Nadakaze | Yakaze | Hakaze | Shiokaze | Akikaze | Yūkaze | Tachikaze | Hokaze | Nokaze | Namikaze | Numakaze 1,345 tonnes
Wakatake-class IJN No46 patrol boat in 1940.jpg Destroyer | | | | | | | Karukaya 900 tonnes 23 vessel planned 8 completed. Relegated to mostly secondary roles.
Kamikaze-class Kamikaze II.jpg Destroyer Kamikaze | Asakaze | Harukaze | Matsukaze | Hatakaze | Oite | Hayate | Asanagi | Yūnagi 1,400 tonnes
Mutsuki-class Japanese destroyer Mutsuki 1930.jpg Destroyer Mutsuki
Kisaragi
Yayoi
Uzuki
Satsuki
Minazuki
Fumizuki
Nagatsuki
Kikuzuki
Mikazuki
Mochizuki
Yūzuki
1,315 tonnes
Fubuki-class Fubuki.jpg Destroyer Fubuki
Shirayuki
Hatsuyuki
Miyuki
Murakumo
Shinonome
Usugumo
Shirakumo
Isonami
Uranami
1,750 tonnes
Ayanami-class Ayanami II.jpg Destroyer Ayanami
Shikinami
Asagiri
Yūgiri
Amagiri
Sagiri
Oboro
Akebono
Sazanami
Ushio
1,750 tonnes Also known as Type II Fubuki-class.
Akatsuki-class Akatsuki II.jpg Destroyer Akatsuki
Hibiki
Ikazuchi
Inazuma
1,750 tonnes Also known as Type III Fubuki-class.
Hatsuharu-class Japanese destroyer Hatsuharu 1934.jpg Destroyer Hatsuharu
Nenohi
Wakaba
Hatsushimo
Ariake
Yūgure
1,530 tonnes
Shiratsuyu-class Yamakaze-1.jpg Destroyer Shiratsuyu
Shigure
Murasame
Yūdachi
Harusame
Samidare
Umikaze
Yamakaze
Kawakaze
Suzukaze
1,685 tonnes
Asashio-class Asashio II.jpg Destroyer Asashio | Ōshio | Michishio | Arashio | Natsugumo | Yamagumo | Minegumo | Asagumo | Arare | Kasumi 1,685 tonnes
Kagerō-class Yukikaze 2.jpg Destroyer Kagerō | Shiranui | Kuroshio | Oyashio | Hayashio | Natsushio | Hatsukaze | Yukikaze | Amatsukaze | Tokitsukaze | Urakaze | Isokaze | Hamakaze | Tanikaze | Nowaki | Arashi | Hagikaze | Maikaze | Akigumo 2,000 tonnes Called Destroyer Type-A by IJN.
Yūgumo-class Naganami Destroyer Yūgumo | Makigumo | Kazagumo | Naganami | Makinami | Takanami | Ōnami | Kiyonami | Tamanami | Suzunami | Fujinami | Hayanami | Hamanami | Okinami | Kishinami | Asashimo | Hayashimo | Akishimo | Kiyoshimo 2,077 tonnes Called Destroyer Type-A by IJN.
Akizuki-class Akizuki.jpg Destroyer Akizuki | Teruzuki | Suzutsuki | Hatsuzuki | Niizuki | Wakatsuki | Shimotsuki 2,700 tonnes
Fuyutsuki-class Fuyuzuki.jpg Destroyer Fuyutsuki
Harutsuki
Yoizuki
Natsuzuki
2,700 tonnes Akizuki-subclass.
Michitsuki-class Hanazuki.jpg Destroyer Hanazuki 2,700 tonnes 16 vessel planned however only 1 completed.
Akizuki-subclass.
Shimakaze-class Shimakaze.jpg Destroyer Shimakaze 2,570 tonnes She was an experimental destroyer, with new high-temperature, high-pressure steam turbines and mounting a total of 15 torpedo tubes. Also called Type-C by IJN.
Matsu-class Momi II.jpg Destroyer Matsu | Take | Ume | Momo | Kuwa | Kiri | Sugi | Maki | Momi | Kashi | Kaya | Nara | Sakura | Yanagi | Tsubaki | Hinoki | Kaede | Keyaki 1,260 tonnes
Tachibana-class Momi II.jpg Destroyer Tachibana | Kaki | Kaba | Tsuta | Hagi | Sumire | Kusunoki | Hatsuzakura | Nire | Nashi | Shii | Enoki | Odake | Hatsuume 1,350 tonnes Matsu-subclass.

Torpedo boats[]

Torpedo Boat (12)
Class Picture Type Boats Displacement Note
Chidori-class IJN torpedo boat CHIDORI in 1934.jpg Torpedo boat | | Tomozuru | 600 tonnes 20 vessel planned however only 4 completed. 16 replaced by Ōtori-class.
Ōtori-class Kiji 1937.jpg Torpedo boat | Hiyodori | | | | | | | 960 tonnes 16 vessel planned however only 8 completed.

Destroyer escorts (Kaibōkan)[]

Kaibōkan (178)
Class Picture Type Boats Displacement Note
Shimushu-class Japanese escort ship Shimushu 1940.jpg Kaibōkan Shimushu | Kunashiri | Ishigaki | Hachijo 874 tonnes
Etorofu-class Japanese escort ship Etorofu 1943.jpg Kaibōkan Etorofu | Matsuwa | | | | | Tsushima | | | | Amakusa | | | 884 tonnes
Mikura-class Japanese escort ship Nomi 1944.jpg Kaibōkan Mikura | Miyake | Awaji | | Kurahashi | | | 955 tonnes
Ukuru-class IJN escort vessel UKU in 1944.jpg Kaibōkan | | | | Okinawa | | | | | Aguni | | | | | | | | | | Kanawa | | | | | | | | | 955 tonnes Includes the 9 vessels of the Hiburi subclass
Type C-class Japanese escort ship No17 in 1944.jpg Kaibōkan | | | | | | CD-13 | | CD-17 | CD-19 | | CD-23 | | | | | | CD-35 | | | | CD-43 | | CD-47 | | CD-51 | CD-53 | | | | | CD-63 | | | | | | CD-75 | | | | | | | | | | | CD-207 | | | | | | | 757 tonnes
Type D-class IJN No2 escort vessel in 1944.jpg Kaibōkan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CD-40 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CD-76 | | | | | | CD-104 | | | | CD-118 | | | | | | | CD-142 | | | CD-154 | | | CD-160 | CD-186 | CD-190 | CD-192 | CD-194 | CD-196 | CD-198 | CD-200 | CD-202 | CD-204 752 tonnes

Patrol boats[]

Patrol Boat
Class Picture Type Boats Displacement Note
No.1-class auxiliary patrol boat IJN auxiliary partorl boat No173 1945.jpg Patrol boat | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 238 tons 280 planned, 27 completed

Submarine chasers[]

Submarine chaser
Class Picture Type Boats Displacement Note
No.1-class auxiliary submarine chaser IJN auxiliary submarine chaser No1 class 1945.jpg Submarine chaser | Cha-2 | Cha-3 | | Cha-5 | | | | | | | Cha-12 | Cha-13 | Cha-14 | | | | | Cha-19 | | | | | | | | | Cha-28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cha-43 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cha-156 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cha-214 | Cha-215 | Cha-216 | Cha-217 | | Cha-219 | | Cha-221 | Cha-222 | | | | | | Cha-228 | | | Cha-231 | Cha-232 | | | | | | | | | Cha-241 | | | | Cha-245 | Cha-246 | | | Cha-249 | 130 tons 200 planned, 200 completed

Submarine[]

Submarine (213)
Class Picture Type Boats Displacement Note
I-1-class Japanese submarine I-1.jpg Submarine I-1 | I-2 | I-3 | I-4 | I-5 | I-6 | I-7 | I-8 1,970 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Junsen-type submarine
I-9-class Japanese submarine I-10 in 1942.jpg Submarine I-9 | I-10 | I-11 | I-12 | I-13 | I-14 2,434 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Type A (Ko) submarine.
I-15-class I-15.jpg Submarine I-15 | I-17 | I-19 | I-21 | I-23 | I-25 | I-26 | I-27 | I-29 | I-30 | I-31 | I-32 | I-33 | I-34 | I-35 | I-36 | I-37 | I-38 | I-39 | I-40 | I-41 | I-42 | I-43 | I-44 | I-45 | I-54 | I-56 | I-58 2,184 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Type B (Otsu) submarine.
I-16-class Japanese submarine I-18 in 1941.jpg Submarine I-16 | I-18 | I-20 | I-22 | I-24 | I-46 | I-47 | I-48 | I-52 | I-53 | I-55 2,184 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Type C (Hei) submarine.
I-361-class Japanese submarine I-361.jpg Submarine I-361 | I-362 | I-363 | I-364 | I-365 | I-366 | I-367 | I-368 | I-369 | I-370 | I-371 | I-372 | I-373 1,440 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Type D (Tei) submarine
I-51-class Japanese submarine I51 1924.jpg Submarine I-51 | I-152 | I-153 | I-154 | I-155 | I-156 | I-157 | I-158 | I-159 | I-60 | I-63 | I-61 | I-162 | I-164 | I-165 | I-66 | I-67 | I-168 | I-169 | I-70 | I-171 | I-73 | I-174 | I-175 | I-176 | I-177 | I-178 | I-179 | I-180 | I-181 | I-182 | I-183 | I-184 | I-185 1,575 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Kaidai-type submarine
I-121-class Japanese submarine I-21.jpg Submarine I-121 | I-122 | I-123 | I-124 1,142 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Kiraisen-type submarine
I-351-class Bridge of IJN submarine I-351 in 1945.jpg Submarine I-351 3,512 tonnes Planned 6. Completed 1.
The official designation of the submarine was Senho-type submarine
I-201-class SenTaka.jpg Submarine I-201
I-202
I-203
1,503 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Sentaka-type submarine
I-501-class Submarine I-501 1,616 tonnes Was German Kriegsmarine submarine under the name U-181, until given to Japan May 1945.
I-502-class Submarine I-502 1,610 tonnes Was German Kriegsmarine submarine under the name U-862, until given to Japan May 1945.
I-503-class Germany submarine UIT24 in 1944.jpg Submarine I-503 1,610 tonnes Was a Regia Marina submarine under the name Comandante Cappelini then captured by IJN after Italy's capitulation then given to Kriegsmarine in September 1943 under the name UIT-24. After that captured again by IJN in May 1945 after Nazi-Germany's surrender.
I-504-class Submarine I-504 1,763 tonnes Was Regia Marina submarine under the name Luigi Torelli then it was temporarily interned to IJN after Italy's capitulation then given to Kriegsmarine in September 1943 under the name UIT-25. After that captured again by IJN in May 1945 after Nazi-Germany's surrender.
I-505-class Submarine I-505 1,763 tonnes Was German Kriegsmarine submarine under the name U-219, until given to Japan May 1945.
I-506-class Submarine I-506 1,610 tonnes Was German Kriegsmarine submarine under the name U-195, until given to Japan May 1945.
Ro-11-class Japanese submarine Ro-11 1919.jpg Submarine Ro-11 | Ro-12 | Ro-13 | Ro-14 | Ro-15 | Ro-16 | Ro-17 | Ro-18 | Ro-19 | Ro-20 | Ro-21 | Ro-22 | Ro-23 | Ro-24 | Ro-25 | Ro-26 | Ro-27 | Ro-28 | Ro-29 | Ro-30 | Ro-31 | Ro-32 | Ro-33 | Ro-34 | Ro-35 | Ro-36 | Ro-37 | Ro-37 | Ro-38 | Ro-39 | Ro-40 | Ro-41 | Ro-42 | Ro-43 | Ro-44 | Ro-45 | Ro-46 | Ro-47 | Ro-48 | Ro-49 | Ro-50 | Ro-55 | Ro-56 720 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Type Kaichū submarine.
Ro-51-class Japanese submarine Ro-51 in the 1920s.jpg Submarine Ro-51 | Ro-52 | Ro-53 | Ro-54 | Ro-55 | Ro-56 | Ro-57 | Ro-58 | Ro-59 | Ro-60 | Ro-61 | Ro-62 | Ro-63 | Ro-64 | Ro-65 | Ro-66 | Ro-67 | Ro-68 893 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Type L submarine
Ro-100-class Japanese submarine Ro-101 in 1943.jpg Submarine Ro-100 | Ro-101 | Ro-102 | Ro-103 | Ro-104 | Ro-105 | Ro-106 | Ro-107 | Ro-108 | Ro-109 | Ro-110 | Ro-111 | Ro-112 | Ro-113 | Ro-114 | Ro-115 | Ro-116 | Ro-117 525 tonnes
Ha-201-class Ha-202 Submarine Ha-201 | Ha-202 | Ha-203 | Ha-204 | Ha-205 | Ha-207 | Ha-208 | Ha-209 | Ha-210 | Ha-216 320 tonnes Never saw combat
The official designation of the submarine was Sentaka-Shō type submarine.
Ro-500-class Japanese submarine RO-500 in 1943.jpg Submarine Ro-500 1,120 tonnes Was German Kriegsmarine submarine under the name U-511, until given to Japan 16 September 1943.
Ro-501-class Submarine Ro-501 1,144 tonnes Was German Kriegsmarine submarine under the name U-1224, until given to Japan 15 February 1944.
Submarine aircraft carrier (3)
Class Picture Type Boats Displacement Note
I-400-class I400 2.jpg Submarine aircraft carrier I-400
I-401
I-402
6,560 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Sentoku type Submarine.
Transport Submarine (49)
Class Picture Type Boats Displacement Note
Ha-101-class (left to right) Ibuki, Ha-105, Ha-106 and Ha-109 Ha-101 | Ha-102 | Ha-103 | Ha-104 | Ha-105 | Ha-106 | Ha-107 | Ha-108 | Ha-109 | Ha-111 370 tonnes The official designation of the submarine was Sen'yu type submarine
Yu-class IJA Yu1-1944.jpg | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 274 tonnes Used by Imperial Japanese Army.

Submarine tender[]

Submarine Tender (3)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Jingei-class Jingei (above) and Chōgei in 1924 Submarine tender Jingei
Chōgei
6,240 tonnes
Taigei-class Jingei (above) and Chōgei in 1924 Submarine tender Taigei 16,700 tonnes Converted into Light aircraft carrier.

Gunboats[]

Gunboats (20)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Japanese gunboat Saga Japanese gunboat SAGA in 1915.jpg River gunboat Saga 793 Improvement of Uji (1903)
Hashidate-class Japanese gunboat Hashidate 1940.jpg Gunboat Hashidate
Uji
1,009
Japanese gunboat Ataka Japanese gunboat Ataka in 1922.jpg River gunboat Ataka 880
Fushimi-class IJN gunboat SUMIDA(II) in 1940.jpg River gunboat Fushimi
Sumida
356
Luzon-class USSLuzonPG-7.jpg River gunboat Karatsu 509 Salvaged from the US wreck
USS Wake (PR-3) Japanese gunboat Tatara 1942.jpg River gunboat Tatara 360 The only US ship surrendered to Japanese during World War II
Azio-class Italian Naval minelayer Lepanto in 1938 at Yokohama.jpg Gunboat Okitsu 625 Salvaged from the Italian wreck
Insect-class Suma River gunboat Suma 635 Salvaged from the British wreck
Atami-class Atami River gunboat Atami
Futami
249
Seta-class Japanese gunboat Seta 1935.jpg River gunboat Seta
Katata
Hira
Hozu
343
Japanese gunboat Kotaka Japanese gunboat Kotaka.jpg River gunboat Kotaka 57 Simplified Atami-class gunboat for shallow water (0.64m draft) operations
Japanese gunboat Toba Japanese gunboat Toba 1935.jpg River gunboat Toba 220
Kozakura-class Japanese gunboat Kozakura in 1935.jpg River gunboat
30
Shōkai Maru-class Gunboat
Official designation was a high-powered tugboat, however, they did not have any towing facilities. They were actually gunboats and escort ships.

Mine warfare vessels[]

Minesweepers (35), minelayers (33) and netlayers (1)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement, tonnes Note
Hatsutaka-class Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka 1939.jpg Minelayer Hatsutaka
Aotaka
Wakataka
1,626
Japanese minelayer Shirataka Japanese minelayer Shirataka 1938.jpg Netlayer Shirataka 1,540
Japanese cruiser Tokiwa Japanese cruiser Tokiwa 1945.jpg Minelayer Tokiwa 9,667 Converted to minelayer in 1922
Japanese minelayer Itsukushima Itsukushima, circa 1935. Minelayer Itsukushima 2,002 First ever Japanese Navy diesel ship
Kamishima-class Japanese minelayer Kamishima 1947.jpg Minelayer Kamishima
Awashima
778
Japanese survey ship Katsuriki Japanese minelayer Katsuriki.jpg Minelayer Katsuriki 1,565 First purpose-built ocean-going minelayer of Japanese Navy, converted to survey ship in 1942
Japanese minelayer Minoo Japanese minelayer Minoo 1947.jpg Minelayer Minoo 3,276
Japanese minelayer Okinoshima Japanese minelayer Okinoshima in 1937.jpg Minelayer Okinoshima 4,359 Carry a reconnaissance floatplane
Natsushima-class Japanese minelayer Natsushima 1933.jpg Minelayer Natsushima
Nasami
Sarushima
483
Tsubame-class Japanese minelayer Tsubame 1929.jpg Minelayer Tsubame
Kamome
457
Sokuten-class Japanese minelayer Kurosaki 1934.jpg Minelayer | | | | | | | | | | 411 2 prototypes of this class decommissioned before World War II
MV Tenyo Maru (1935) Tenyo Maru 1935 Scan10011.JPG Minelayer Tenyo Maru 6,843
Japanese minelayer Tsugaru Japanese minelayer Tsugaru 1941.jpg Minelayer Tsugaru 4,064 Carry a reconnaissance floatplane
Japanese minelayer Yaeyama Japanese minelayer Yaeyama 1932.jpg Minelayer Yaeyama 1,153 Refit as anti-submarine warfare vessel in 1943
Hashima-class Japanese cable layer Hashima in 1940.jpg Minelayer | | | 1,585 Used to lay remote-controlled mines in coastal fortifications
W-1-class W-3 in 1923 Minesweeper | | | | | 610
W-7-class Japanese minesweeper No7 in 1942.jpg Minesweeper W-7 | W-8 | | W-10 | | 640 Actually newer than W-13 class
W-13-class Japanese minesweeper No13 in 1933.jpg Minesweeper | | | | | 533
W-19-class Japanese minesweeper MSC21.jpg Minesweeper | | | | | | | W-26 | | | | | | | | 658 Primary Japanese minesweeper during World War II
Wa-1-class auxiliary minesweeper Japanese minesweeper No1.jpg Minesweeper Wa-1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Auxiliary vessels[]

Food Supply Ship[]

Food Supply Ship (8)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Mamiya-class IJN supply ship MAMIYA around 1930.jpg Mamiya 15,820 tonnes
Nosaki-class IJN supply ship NOZAKI in 1941.jpg Nosaki 650 tonnes
Kinesaki-class Japanese supply ship Arasaki 1943.jpg


910 tonnes
Irako-class Japanese supply ship Irako 1944.jpg Irako 9,570 tonnes
8,125 tonnes
498 tonnes

Repair ship[]

Repair Ship (2)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Asahi-class Japanese battleship Asahi.jpg Repair ship Asahi 15,200 tonnes Converted from Pre-dreadnought battleship.
Akashi-class IJN repair ship AKASHI in 1939.jpg Repair ship Akashi 9,000 tonnes

Survey ship[]

Survey Ships (1)
Class Picture Type Ships Displacement Note
Tsukushi-class Japanese survey ship Tsukushi 1941.jpg Survey ship Tsukushi 1,422 tonnes Planned 2.
Cancelled 1.

See also[]

  • Imperial Japanese Navy of World War II
  • List of Japanese military equipment of World War II
  • List of ships of the Japanese Navy
  • List of ships of the Second World War
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