List of cruiser classes of the Imperial Japanese Navy explained

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

Armoured cruisers (Sōkō jun'yōkan)

ShipBuilderClass and typeDisplacement (tons)Commissioned into IJNFate
AsamaArmstrong Whitworth, UKAsama-class armoured cruiser9,70018 March 189930 November 1945; Scrapped
TokiwaArmstrong Whitworth, UKAsama-class armoured cruiser9,70018 May 18999 August 1945; destroyed by USN aircraft at Ominato
YakumoStettiner Vulcan AG, GermanyArmoured cruiser9,64620 June 190020 July 1946; scrapped
AzumaSaint-Nazaire shipyards, FranceArmoured cruiser9,30728 July 190015 February 1944; Scrapped
IzumoArmstrong Whitworth, UKIzumo-class armoured cruiser9,75025 September 190024 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Kure
IwateArmstrong Whitworth, UKIzumo-class armoured cruiser9,75018 March 190126 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Kure
KasugaGio. Ansaldo & C., ItalyKasuga-class armoured cruiser7,6804 January 190418 July 1945; destroyed at mooring by USN aircraft at Yokosuka
NisshinGio. Ansaldo & C., ItalyKasuga-class armoured cruiser7,6897 January 190418 January 1942; scuttled 1936
TsukubaKure Naval Arsenal, JapanTsukuba-class armoured cruiser13,75014 January 190714 January 1917; Accidental explosion
IkomaKure Naval Arsenal, JapanTsukuba-class armoured cruiser13,75028 March 190820 September 1923; Scrapped
IbukiKure Naval Arsenal, JapanIbuki-class armoured cruiser14,63611 November 190720 September 1923; Scrapped
AsoLa Seyne-sur-Mer, FranceBayan-class armoured cruiser7,72630 November 19081 April 1931; Retired; subsequently expended as target off Izu Oshima
KuramaYokosuka Naval Arsenal, JapanIbuki-class armoured cruiser14,63628 February 191120 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.

ShipBuilderClass and typeDisplacement (tons)Commissioned into IJNFate
KongōVickers Shipbuilding, Barrow-in-FurnessKongō-class battlecruiser26,230 16 August 191321 November 1944; sunk by in the Formosa Strait
HieiYokosuka Naval Arsenal, JapanKongō-class battlecruiser26,230 4 August 1914
HarunaKawasaki, KobeKongō-class battlecruiser26,23019 April 191528 July 1945; sunk by USN aircraft at Kure
KirishimaMitsubishi, NagasakiKongō-class battlecruiser26,23019 April 1915

Heavy cruisers (jū jun'yōkan)

ShipBuilderClass and typeDisplacement (tons)Commissioned into IJNFate
FurutakaMitsubishi, NagasakiFurutaka-class heavy cruiser9,15031 March 192612 October 1942; Sunk by USN cruisers, Battle of Cape Esperance
KakoKawasaki, KobeFurutaka-class heavy cruiser9,15030 July 192610 August 1942; Sunk by off New Ireland (island)
AobaMitsubishi, NagasakiAoba-class heavy cruiser10,82220 September 192728 July 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft, Kure, raised and scrapped post war.
KinugasaKawasaki, KobeAoba-class heavy cruiser10,82230 September 192714 November 1942; Sunk by USN aircraft at Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
MyōkōYokosuka Naval Arsenal, JapanMyōkō-class heavy cruiser13,30031 July 1929
NachiKure Naval Arsenal, JapanMyōkō-class heavy cruiser13,30028 November 19285 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft at Manila Bay
AshigaraKawasaki, KobeMyōkō-class heavy cruiser13,3008 February 19298 June 1945; Sunk by HMS Trenchant in Bangka Strait
HaguroMitsubishi, NagasakiMyōkō-class heavy cruiser13,30025 April 192916 May 1945; Sunk by Royal Navy at Battle of the Malacca Strait
TakaoYokosuka Naval Arsenal, JapanTakao-class heavy cruiser15,49031 May 193229 October 1946; Sunk as a target ship in the Strait of Malacca after surrender to the Royal Navy
AtagoKure Naval Arsenal, JapanTakao-class heavy cruiser15,49030 March 193223 October 1944; Sunk by at in Palawan Passage during the Battle of Leyte Gulf
ChōkaiMitsubishi, NagasakiTakao-class heavy cruiser15,49030 June 193225 October 1944; Sunk by USN during Battle off Samar
MayaKawasaki, KobeTakao-class heavy cruiser15,49030 June 193223 October 1944; Sunk by at in the Palawan Passage during the Battle of Leyte Gulf
MogamiKure Naval Arsenal, JapanMogami-class heavy cruiser13,44028 July 193525 October 1944; Scuttled after Battle of the Surigao Strait
MikumaMitsubishi, NagasakiMogami-class heavy cruiser13,44029 August 19356 June 1942; Sunk by USN aircraft, Battle of Midway
SuzuyaYokosuka Naval Arsenal, JapanMogami-class heavy cruiser13,44031 October 193725 October 1944; Scuttled after Battle off Samar
KumanoKawasaki, KobeMogami-class heavy cruiser13,44031 October 193725 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft at Santa Cruz, Philippines
ToneMitsubishi, NagasakiTone-class heavy cruiser15,20020 November 193824 July 1945; Sunk at Etajima, Hiroshima, raised and scrapped post war.
ChikumaMitsubishi, NagasakiTone-class heavy cruiser15,20020 May 193925 October 1944; Sunk at Battle off Samar

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

ShipBuilderClass and typeDisplacement (tons)Commissioned into IJNFate
Armstrong Whitworth, United KingdomNaniwa-class protected cruiser3,6501 December 188512 August 1912; Grounded off coast of Urup, Kurile Islands
Armstrong Whitworth, United KingdomNaniwa-class protected cruiser3,6501 December 188517 October 1914; Torpedoed during Battle of Tsingtao
Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde, FranceProtected cruiser3,615October 1886December 1886; Vanished in South China Sea
Yokosuka Naval ArsenalUnprotected cruiser1,58415 March 18901 April 1911; Scrapped
John Brown & Company, United KingdomProtected cruiser3,6151 January 189128 February 1927; Expended as target
Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire, FranceUnprotected cruiser74127 November 189230 November 1892; Collision with MV Ravenna, Seto Inland Sea
Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, FranceMatsushima-class protected cruiser4,2175 April 189230 April 1908; Accidental explosion, Makung, Pescadores Islands
Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, FranceMatsushima-class protected cruiser4,2783 September 189112 March 1926; Scrapped
Yokosuka Naval ArsenalMatsushima-class protected cruiser4,28726 June 18941 April 1922; Scrapped in 1927
Armstrong Whitworth, United KingdomProtected cruiser4,15030 September 189315 May 1904; Collided with, Yellow Sea
Yokosuka Naval ArsenalProtected cruiser3,10031 March 189427 January 1927; Scrapped
Armstrong Whitworth, United KingdomUnprotected cruiser65031 July 189426 March 1926; submarine tender from 1916 to 1926
Armstrong Whitworth, United KingdomProtected cruiser2,9208 January 18951 April 1912; Scrapped
Stettiner Vulcan AG GermanyProtected cruiser2,44016 March 1895 (as prize of war)30 November 1904; Mined off Port Arthur
Yokosuka Naval ArsenalSuma-class protected cruiser2,65712 December 18965 April 1923; Scrapped 1927
Yokosuka Naval ArsenalSuma-class protected cruiser2,65730 March 18991 April 1928; Expended as a target 1930
Union Iron Works, United StatesKasagi-class protected cruiser4,9001 March 18981 April 1928; Expended as target off Shikoku in 1931
William Cramp & Sons, United StatesKasagi-class protected cruiser4,90024 October 18988 October 1916; Grounded off Tsugaru Strait
Armstrong Whitworth, United KingdomProtected cruiser4,16017 May 189813 December 1904; Mined off Port Arthur
Kure Naval ArsenalUnprotected cruiser1,77231 March 189914 May 1904; naval mine off Port Arthur
Yokosuka Naval ArsenalUnprotected cruiser1,2389 September 19011 September 1929; training hulk to end of World War II
Yokosuka Naval ArsenalNiitaka-class protected cruiser3,36627 January 190426 August 1923; Typhoon off Kamchatka
Kure Naval ArsenalNiitaka-class protected cruiser3,36614 February 19041 April 1939; Sunk off Miura 1944
Yokosuka Naval ArsenalProtected cruiser3,0006 September 190410 August 1917; Grounded off Mie Prefecture
Schichau shipyards, Danzig, GermanyProtected cruiser3,08020 August 1906 prize of war1 April 1913; Scrapped
William Cramp & Sons, United StatesProtected cruiser6,5009 July 1907 prize of war5 April 1916; Returned to Russia
Admiralty Shipyard, RussiaProtected cruiser6,93222 August 1908 prize of war1 April 1922; Decommissioned; scuttled 1923
Kawasaki Yards, KobeYodo-class protected cruiser1,2508 April 19081 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1945
Mitsubishi Yards, NagasakiYodo-class protected cruiser1,35016 September 19081 April 1928; Decommissioned; scrapped 1929
Sasebo Naval ArsenalProtected cruiser4,9005 May 19101 April 1931; Expended as a target 1933
Sasebo Naval ArsenalChikuma-class protected cruiser5,04017 May 19121 April 1931; expended as target 1935
Kawasaki Yards, KobeChikuma-class protected cruiser5,04017 June 19121 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1947
Mitsubishi Yards, NagasakiChikuma-class protected cruiser5,04027 June 19121 April 1940; Decommissioned; scrapped 1947

Light cruisers (Kei jun'yōkan)[1]

ShipBuilderClass and typeDisplacement (tons)Commissioned into IJNFate
TatsutaSasebo Navy YardTenryū-class light cruiser3,94831 May 191913 March 1944; Sunk by USS Sand Lance east of Hachijojima
TenryūYokosuka Naval ArsenalTenryū-class light cruiser3,94820 November 191918 December 1942; Sunk by USS Albacore E of Madang
KumaSasebo Navy YardKuma-class light cruiser5,10031 August 192010 March 1944; Sunk by HMS Tally-Ho west of Penang
TamaSasebo Navy YardKuma-class light cruiser5,10029 January 192125 October 1944; Sunk by USS Jallao northeast of Luzon
KisoMitsubishi, NagasakiKuma-class light cruiser5,10029 January 192120 March 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft west of Cavite
KitakamiSasebo Navy YardKuma-class light cruiser5,10015 April 192130 November 1945; scrapped 10 August 1946 – 31 March 1947
ŌiKawasaki, KobeKuma-class light cruiser5,10010 October 192119 July 1944; Sunk by USS Flasher south of Hong Kong
NagaraSasebo Navy YardNagara-class light cruiser5,83221 April 19227 August 1944; Sunk by USS Croaker off Amakusa
NatoriMitsubishi, NagasakiNagara-class light cruiser5,83215 September 192218 August 1944; Sunk by USS Hardhead east of Samar
KinuKawasaki, KobeNagara-class light cruiser5,83210 November 192226 October 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft in Sibuyan Sea
YuraSasebo Navy YardNagara-class light cruiser5,83220 March 192325 October 1942; Scuttled off Savo Island after bombing by USAAF
IsuzuUraga Dock CompanyNagara-class light cruiser5,83215 August 19237 April 1945; Sunk by USN submarines off Sumbawa
AbukumaUraga Dock CompanyNagara-class light cruiser5,83226 May 192526 October 1944; Sunk by USAAF aircraft off Negros Island
SendaiMitsubishi, NagasakiSendai-class light cruiser5,19529 April 19243 November 1943; Sunk by USN cruisers at Empress Augusta Bay
JintsuKawasaki, KobeSendai-class light cruiser5,19531 July 192513 July 1943; Sunk by USN cruisers off Kolombangara
NakaSasebo Navy YardSendai-class light cruiser5,19530 November 192518 February 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft off Truk
YūbariSasebo Navy YardYūbari-class light cruiser2,84023 July 192328 April 1944; Sunk by USS Bluegill off Palau
KatoriMitsubishi, YokohamaKatori-class training cruiser5,89020 April 194018 February 1944; Sunk by off Truk
KashimaMitsubishi, YokohamaKatori-class training cruiser5,89031 May 19405 October 1945; Scrapped
KashiiMitsubishi, YokohamaKatori-class training cruiser5,89015 July 194120 March 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft, South China Sea
AganoSasebo Navy YardAgano-class light cruiser6,65031 October 194215 February 1944; Sunk by USS Skate north of Truk
NoshiroMitsubishi, NagasakiAgano-class light cruiser6,65230 June 194326 October 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft south of Mindoro
YahagiSasebo Navy YardAgano-class light cruiser6,65029 December 19437 April 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft south of Kagoshima
SakawaSasebo Navy YardAgano-class light cruiser6,65230 November 194410 October 1945; war prize to USA, expended at atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll on 2 July 1946
Kure Naval ArsenalŌyodo-class light cruiser8,16428 February 194325 July 1945; Sunk by USN aircraft at Kure
IoshimaHarima ShipyardsIoshima-class light cruiser2,52628 June 194419 September 1944; Sunk by USS Shad south of Cape Omaezaki
YasoshimaKiangnan Dockyard, ChinaIoshima-class light cruiser2,44825 September 194425 November 1944; Sunk by USN aircraft west of Luzon

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

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