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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)[1]

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Ship 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

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Citations

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

Bibliography

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  • 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.