List of cruiser classes of the Imperial Japanese Navy

This is a list of cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy built between 1885 and 1945.

Armoured cruisers (Sōkō jun'yōkan)

Ship Builder Class and type Displacement (tons) Commissioned into IJN Fate
Asama Armstrong Whitworth, UK Asama-class armoured cruiser 9,700 18 March 1899 30 November 1945; Scrapped
Tokiwa Armstrong Whitworth, UK Asama-class armoured cruiser 9,700 18 May 1899 9 August 1945; destroyed by USN aircraft at Ominato
Yakumo Stettiner Vulcan AG, Germany Armoured cruiser 9,646 20 June 1900 20 July 1946; scrapped
Azuma Saint-Nazaire shipyards, France Armoured cruiser 9,307 28 July 1900 15 February 1944; Scrapped
Izumo Armstrong Whitworth, UK Izumo-class armoured cruiser 9,750 25 September 1900 24 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Kure
Iwate Armstrong Whitworth, UK Izumo-class armoured cruiser 9,750 18 March 1901 26 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Kure
Kasuga Gio. Ansaldo & C., Italy Kasuga-class armoured cruiser 7,680 4 January 1904 18 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Yokosuka
Nisshin Gio. Ansaldo & C., Italy Kasuga-class armoured cruiser 7,689 7 January 1904 18 January 1942; scuttled 1936
Tsukuba Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Tsukuba-class armoured cruiser 13,750 14 January 1907 14 January 1917; Accidental explosion
Ikoma Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Tsukuba-class armoured cruiser 13,750 28 March 1908 20 September 1923; Scrapped
Ibuki Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Ibuki-class armoured cruiser 14,636 11 November 1907 20 September 1923; Scrapped
Aso La Seyne-sur-Mer, France Bayan-class armoured cruiser 7,726 30 November 1908 1 April 1931; Retired; subsequently expended as target off Izu Oshima
Kurama Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Ibuki-class armoured cruiser 14,636 28 February 1911 20 September 1923; Scrapped

Note that the four Tsukuba and Ibuki class armoured cruisers were re-classed as "battlecruisers" by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1912.

Battlecruisers (jun'yōsenkan)

See also: Kongō class battlecruiser
Ship Builder Class and type Displacement (tons) Commissioned into IJN Fate
Kongō Vickers Shipbuilding, Barrow-in-Furness Kongō-class battlecruiser 26,230 16 August 1913 21 November 1944; sunk by USS Sealion in the Formosa Strait
Hiei Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Kongō-class battlecruiser 26,230 4 August 1914 13 November 1942; sunk by USN ships and aircraft in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Haruna Kawasaki, Kobe Kongō-class battlecruiser 26,230 19 April 1915 28 July 1945; sunk by USN aircraft at Kure
Kirishima Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Kongō-class battlecruiser 26,230 19 April 1915 15 November 1942; sunk by USS Washington in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal

Heavy cruisers (jū jun'yōkan)

Ship Builder Class and type Displacement (tons) Commissioned into IJN Fate
Furutaka Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Furutaka-class heavy cruiser 9,150 31 March 1926 12 October 1942; Sunk by USN cruisers, Battle of Cape Esperance
Kako Kawasaki, Kobe Furutaka-class heavy cruiser 9,150 30 July 1926 10 August 1942; Sunk by USS S-44 off New Ireland (island)
Aoba Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Aoba-class heavy cruiser 10,822 20 September 1927 28 July 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft, Kure, raised and scrapped post war.
Kinugasa Kawasaki, Kobe Aoba-class heavy cruiser 10,822 30 September 1927 14 November 1942; Sunk by USN aircraft at Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Myōkō Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Myōkō-class heavy cruiser 13,300 31 July 1929 8 June 1946 ; Scuttled in the Strait of Malacca after surrender to the Royal Navy
Nachi Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Myōkō-class heavy cruiser 13,300 28 November 1928 5 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft at Manila Bay
Ashigara Kawasaki, Kobe Myōkō-class heavy cruiser 13,300 8 February 1929 8 June 1945; Sunk by HMS Trenchant in Bangka Strait
Haguro Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Myōkō-class heavy cruiser 13,300 25 April 1929 16 May 1945; Sunk by Royal Navy at Battle of the Malacca Strait
Takao Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Takao-class heavy cruiser 15,490 31 May 1932 29 October 1946; Sunk as a target ship in the Strait of Malacca after surrender to the Royal Navy
Atago Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Takao-class heavy cruiser 15,490 30 March 1932 23 October 1944; Sunk by USS Darter at in Palawan Passage during the Battle of Leyte Gulf
Chōkai Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Takao-class heavy cruiser 15,490 30 June 1932 25 October 1944; Sunk by USN during Battle off Samar
Maya Kawasaki, Kobe Takao-class heavy cruiser 15,490 30 June 1932 23 October 1944; Sunk by USS Dace at in the Palawan Passage during the Battle of Leyte Gulf
Mogami Kure Naval Arsenal, Japan Mogami-class heavy cruiser 13,440 28 July 1935 25 October 1944; Scuttled after Battle of the Surigao Strait
Mikuma Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Mogami-class heavy cruiser 13,440 29 August 1935 6 June 1942; Sunk by USN aircraft, Battle of Midway
Suzuya Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan Mogami-class heavy cruiser 13,440 31 October 1937 25 October 1944; Scuttled after Battle off Samar
Kumano Kawasaki, Kobe Mogami-class heavy cruiser 13,440 31 October 1937 25 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft at Santa Cruz, Philippines
Tone Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Tone-class heavy cruiser 15,200 20 November 1938 24 July 1945; Sunk at Etajima, Hiroshima, raised and scrapped post war.
Chikuma Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Tone-class heavy cruiser 15,200 20 May 1939 25 October 1944; Sunk at Battle off Samar

Protected cruisers (Bōgo jun'yōkan) & unprotected cruisers (Mubōbina jun'yōkan)

Ship Builder Class and type Displacement (tons) Commissioned into IJN Fate
Naniwa Armstrong Whitworth, United Kingdom Naniwa-class protected cruiser 3,650 1 December 1885 12 August 1912; Grounded off coast of Urup, Kurile Islands
Takachiho Armstrong Whitworth, United Kingdom Naniwa-class protected cruiser 3,650 1 December 1885 17 October 1914; Torpedoed during Battle of Tsingtao
Unebi Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde, France Protected cruiser 3,615 October 1886 December 1886; Vanished in South China Sea
Yaeyama Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Unprotected cruiser 1,584 15 March 1890 1 April 1911; Scrapped
Chiyoda John Brown & Company, United Kingdom Protected cruiser 3,615 1 January 1891 28 February 1927; Expended as target
Chishima Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire, France Unprotected cruiser 741 27 November 1892 30 November 1892; Collision with MV Ravenna, Seto Inland Sea
Matsushima Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, France Matsushima-class protected cruiser 4,217 5 April 1892 30 April 1908; Accidental explosion, Makung, Pescadores Islands
Itsukushima Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, France Matsushima-class protected cruiser 4,278 3 September 1891 12 March 1926; Scrapped
Hashidate Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Matsushima-class protected cruiser 4,287 26 June 1894 1 April 1922; Scrapped in 1927
Yoshino Armstrong Whitworth, United Kingdom Protected cruiser 4,150 30 September 1893 15 May 1904; Collided with Kasuga, Yellow Sea
Akitsushima Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Protected cruiser 3,100 31 March 1894 27 January 1927; Scrapped
Tatsuta Armstrong Whitworth, United Kingdom Unprotected cruiser 650 31 July 1894 26 March 1926; submarine tender from 1916 to 1926
Izumi Armstrong Whitworth, United Kingdom Protected cruiser 2,920 8 January 1895 1 April 1912; Scrapped
Saien Stettiner Vulcan AG Germany Protected cruiser 2,440 16 March 1895 (as prize of war) 30 November 1904; Mined off Port Arthur
Suma Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Suma-class protected cruiser 2,657 12 December 1896 5 April 1923; Scrapped 1927
Akashi Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Suma-class protected cruiser 2,657 30 March 1899 1 April 1928; Expended as a target 1930
Chitose Union Iron Works, United States Kasagi-class protected cruiser 4,900 1 March 1898 1 April 1928; Expended as target off Shikoku in 1931
Kasagi William Cramp & Sons, United States Kasagi-class protected cruiser 4,900 24 October 1898 8 October 1916; Grounded off Tsugaru Strait
Takasago Armstrong Whitworth, United Kingdom Protected cruiser 4,160 17 May 1898 13 December 1904; Mined off Port Arthur
Miyako Kure Naval Arsenal Unprotected cruiser 1,772 31 March 1899 14 May 1904; naval mine off Port Arthur
Chihaya Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Unprotected cruiser 1,238 9 September 1901 1 September 1929; training hulk to end of World War II
Niitaka Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Niitaka-class protected cruiser 3,366 27 January 1904 26 August 1923; Typhoon off Kamchatka
Tsushima Kure Naval Arsenal Niitaka-class protected cruiser 3,366 14 February 1904 1 April 1939; Sunk off Miura 1944
Otowa Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Protected cruiser 3,000 6 September 1904 10 August 1917; Grounded off Mie Prefecture
Suzuya Schichau shipyards, Danzig, Germany Protected cruiser 3,080 20 August 1906 prize of war 1 April 1913; Scrapped
Soya William Cramp & Sons, United States Protected cruiser 6,500 9 July 1907 prize of war 5 April 1916; Returned to Russia
Tsugaru Admiralty Shipyard, Russia Protected cruiser 6,932 22 August 1908 prize of war 1 April 1922; Decommissioned; scuttled 1923
Yodo Kawasaki Yards, Kobe Yodo-class protected cruiser 1,250 8 April 1908 1 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1945
Mogami Mitsubishi Yards, Nagasaki Yodo-class protected cruiser 1,350 16 September 1908 1 April 1928; Decommissioned; scrapped 1929
Tone Sasebo Naval Arsenal Protected cruiser 4,900 5 May 1910 1 April 1931; Expended as a target 1933
Chikuma Sasebo Naval Arsenal Chikuma-class protected cruiser 5,040 17 May 1912 1 April 1931; expended as target 1935
Hirado Kawasaki Yards, Kobe Chikuma-class protected cruiser 5,040 17 June 1912 1 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1947
Yahagi Mitsubishi Yards, Nagasaki Chikuma-class protected cruiser 5,040 27 June 1912 1 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1947

Light cruisers (Kei jun'yōkan)

Ship[1] Builder Class and type Displacement (tons) Commissioned into IJN Fate
Tatsuta Sasebo Navy Yard Tenryū-class light cruiser 3,948 31 May 1919 13 March 1944; Sunk by USS Sand Lance east of Hachijojima
Tenryū Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Tenryū-class light cruiser 3,948 20 November 1919 18 December 1942; Sunk by USS Albacore E of Madang
Kuma Sasebo Navy Yard Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 31 August 1920 10 March 1944; Sunk by HMS Tally-Ho west of Penang
Tama Sasebo Navy Yard Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 29 January 1921 25 October 1944; Sunk by USS Jallao northeast of Luzon
Kiso Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 29 January 1921 20 March 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft west of Cavite
Kitakami Sasebo Navy Yard Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 15 April 1921 30 November 1945; scrapped 10 August 1946 – 31 March 1947
Ōi Kawasaki, Kobe Kuma-class light cruiser 5,100 10 October 1921 19 July 1944; Sunk by USS Flasher south of Hong Kong
Nagara Sasebo Navy Yard Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 21 April 1922 7 August 1944; Sunk by USS Croaker off Amakusa
Natori Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 15 September 1922 18 August 1944; Sunk by USS Hardhead east of Samar
Kinu Kawasaki, Kobe Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 10 November 1922 26 October 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft in Sibuyan Sea
Yura Sasebo Navy Yard Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 20 March 1923 25 October 1942; Scuttled off Savo Island after bombing by USAAF
Isuzu Uraga Dock Company Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 15 August 1923 7 April 1945; Sunk by USN submarines off Sumbawa
Abukuma Uraga Dock Company Nagara-class light cruiser 5,832 26 May 1925 26 October 1944; Sunk by USAAF aircraft off Negros Island
Sendai Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Sendai-class light cruiser 5,195 29 April 1924 3 November 1943; Sunk by USN cruisers at Empress Augusta Bay
Jintsu Kawasaki, Kobe Sendai-class light cruiser 5,195 31 July 1925 13 July 1943; Sunk by USN cruisers off Kolombangara
Naka Sasebo Navy Yard Sendai-class light cruiser 5,195 30 November 1925 18 February 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft off Truk
Yūbari Sasebo Navy Yard Yūbari-class light cruiser 2,840 23 July 1923 28 April 1944; Sunk by USS Bluegill off Palau
Katori Mitsubishi, Yokohama Katori-class training cruiser 5,890 20 April 1940 18 February 1944; Sunk by USS Iowa off Truk
Kashima Mitsubishi, Yokohama Katori-class training cruiser 5,890 31 May 1940 5 October 1945; Scrapped
Kashii Mitsubishi, Yokohama Katori-class training cruiser 5,890 15 July 1941 20 March 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft, South China Sea
Agano Sasebo Navy Yard Agano-class light cruiser 6,650 31 October 1942 15 February 1944; Sunk by USS Skate north of Truk
Noshiro Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Agano-class light cruiser 6,652 30 June 1943 26 October 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft south of Mindoro
Yahagi Sasebo Navy Yard Agano-class light cruiser 6,650 29 December 1943 7 April 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft south of Kagoshima
Sakawa Sasebo Navy Yard Agano-class light cruiser 6,652 30 November 1944 10 October 1945; war prize to USA, expended at atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll on 2 July 1946
Ōyodo Kure Naval Arsenal Ōyodo-class light cruiser 8,164 28 February 1943 25 July 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft at Kure
Ioshima Harima Shipyards Ioshima-class light cruiser 2,526 28 June 1944 19 September 1944; Sunk by USS Shad south of Cape Omaezaki
Yasoshima Kiangnan Dockyard, China Ioshima-class light cruiser 2,448 25 September 1944 25 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft west of Luzon

See also

Citations

  1. ^ Jentschura, Jung & Mickel, pp. 104–113

Bibliography

  • Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 978-0-87021-893-4.
  • Friedman, Norman (1985). "Japan". In Gray, Randal (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 221–251. ISBN 0-87021-907-3.
  • Sturton, Ian (1980). "Japan". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 167–217. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
  • Watts, A. J. (1979). "Japan". In Chesneau, Roger & Kolesnik, Eugene M. (eds.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. New York: Mayflower Books. pp. 216–239. ISBN 0-8317-0302-4.