IJN 5th Fleet
Encyclopedia
The was a fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy
, active during the early portions of the Second Sino-Japanese War
, and again in World War II, primarily in the Battle of the Aleutian Islands
.
of 1937. The initial plan was to construct 3rd, 4th and 5th China Area Fleets to cover the invasions of Japanese troops into the Chinese mainland, and to interdict and control commerce on the coasts. The IJN 4th
and IJN 5th Fleets came under the operational control of the 2nd China Expeditionary Fleet. It participated in the Hainan Island Operation
and other maritime interdiction operations off the Chinese coast. The fleet was disbanded on 15 November 1939 when its operations were merged into the China Area Fleet.
, through Hokkaidō
, the Chishima Islands, and as far as the Bonin Islands to the east. With the threat of maritime invasion by the Soviet Union considered extremely remote, and with Japanese forces focused on attacking south (Nanshin-ron
), the IJN 5th Fleet was considered of secondary importance and was only assigned a couple of light cruiser
s and smaller vessels.
With the outbreak of World War II, and the Doolittle raid
on Tokyo, the IJN 5th Fleet was reinforced by a large number of converted armed merchant vessels. The operational plan for the Battle of Midway
called for a diversionary strike north towards the Aleutian Islands. The cruisers of the IJN 5th Fleet covered the landings of Japanese troops on Attu
and Kiska
on 6–7 June 1942, and were in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands
against the United States Navy
on 27 March 1943.
However, the IJN 5th Fleet was unable to prevent the recapture of Attu by American forces in May 1943, and from 5 August 1943 – 5 December 1944, the IJN 5th Fleet was reorganized under the operational control of the Northeast Area Fleet
, which oversaw the withdrawal of Japanese forces from Kiska
and reinforcement of the northern approaches to Japan.
Following Japan's withdrawal from the Aleutians, the Northeast Area Fleet was reassigned directly to the Philippines
in October 1944. It participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf
, and surviving vessels were joined to the Southeast Area Fleet
on 15 December 1944. On 5 February 1945, the Southeast Area Fleet became the IJN 10th Area Fleet
, at which time the remnants of the IJN 5th Fleet's administrative structure were disbanded.
Chief of Staff
{| class=wikitable
! || Rank|| Name || Date ||
|-
|1|| Vice-Admiral || Minoru Tayui|| 1 February 1938 – 15 December 1938
|-
|2|| Vice-Admiral || Tamon Yamaguchi|| 15 December 1938 – 15 November 1939
|-
|3|| Vice-Admiral || Tasuku Nakazawa|| 25 July 1941 – 6 November 1942
|-
|4|| Rear-Admiral || Yoshiyuki Ichimiya|| 6 November 1942 – 19 March 1943
|-
|5|| Rear-Admiral || Noboru Owada|| 10 March 1943 – 17 November 1943
|-
|6|| Rear-Admiral || Takeshi Matsumoto|| 17 November 1943 – 5 February 1945
|-
|}
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
, active during the early portions of the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, and again in World War II, primarily in the Battle of the Aleutian Islands
Battle of the Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands Campaign was a struggle over the Aleutian Islands, part of Alaska, in the Pacific campaign of World War II starting on 3 June 1942. A small Japanese force occupied the islands of Attu and Kiska, but the remoteness of the islands and the difficulties of weather and terrain meant...
.
China Expeditionary Fleet
The IJN 5th Fleet was initially formed on 1 February 1938 as part of the Japanese military emergency expansion program in the aftermath of the North China IncidentBattle of Shanghai
The Battle of Shanghai, known in Chinese as Battle of Songhu, was the first of the twenty-two major engagements fought between the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China and the Imperial Japanese Army of the Empire of Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War...
of 1937. The initial plan was to construct 3rd, 4th and 5th China Area Fleets to cover the invasions of Japanese troops into the Chinese mainland, and to interdict and control commerce on the coasts. The IJN 4th
IJN 4th Fleet
The was a fleet designation of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Fourth Fleet designation was used during three separate periods. The initial designation was for a group of ships that were assigned to work together during the Russo-Japanese conflict and the period of its immediate aftermath...
and IJN 5th Fleets came under the operational control of the 2nd China Expeditionary Fleet. It participated in the Hainan Island Operation
Hainan Island Operation
The Hainan Island Operation, or in Japanese was part of a campaign by the Empire of Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War to blockade the Republic of China and prevent it from communicating with the outside world as well as to prevent imports of much-needed arms and materials.Control of Hainan...
and other maritime interdiction operations off the Chinese coast. The fleet was disbanded on 15 November 1939 when its operations were merged into the China Area Fleet.
North Pacific Fleet
The IJN 5th Fleet was resurrected on 25 July 1941, and tasked with patrols of northern Japanese waters from the northern portion of HonshūHonshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
, through Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, the Chishima Islands, and as far as the Bonin Islands to the east. With the threat of maritime invasion by the Soviet Union considered extremely remote, and with Japanese forces focused on attacking south (Nanshin-ron
Nanshin-ron
The was a political doctrine in the pre-WW2 Japan which stated that Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands were Japan's sphere of interest and that the potential value to the Japanese Empire for economic and territorial expansion in those areas was greater than elsewhere.This political doctrine...
), the IJN 5th Fleet was considered of secondary importance and was only assigned a couple of light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
s and smaller vessels.
With the outbreak of World War II, and the Doolittle raid
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
on Tokyo, the IJN 5th Fleet was reinforced by a large number of converted armed merchant vessels. The operational plan for the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
called for a diversionary strike north towards the Aleutian Islands. The cruisers of the IJN 5th Fleet covered the landings of Japanese troops on Attu
Attu Island
Attu is the westernmost and largest island in the Near Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, making it the westernmost point of land relative to Alaska and the United States. It was the site of the only World War II land battle fought on the incorporated territory of the United States ,...
and Kiska
Kiska
Kiska is an island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska located at . It is about long and varies in width from - Discovery :...
on 6–7 June 1942, and were in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands
Battle of the Komandorski Islands
The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was one of the most unusual engagements of World War II. It was a naval battle which took place on 27 March 1943 in the North Pacific area of the Pacific Ocean, near the Soviet Komandorski Islands.-Background:...
against the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
on 27 March 1943.
However, the IJN 5th Fleet was unable to prevent the recapture of Attu by American forces in May 1943, and from 5 August 1943 – 5 December 1944, the IJN 5th Fleet was reorganized under the operational control of the Northeast Area Fleet
Northeast Area Fleet
The was a fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy established during World War II.-History:The Northeast Area Fleet was a short-lived operational headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Navy, established on August 5, 1943...
, which oversaw the withdrawal of Japanese forces from Kiska
Japanese occupation of Kiska
The Japanese occupation of Kiska took place between 6 June 1942 and 28 July 1943 during the Aleutian Islands Campaign of the Pacific War. The Japanese occupied Kiska and nearby Attu Island in order to protect the northern flank of the Japanese Empire....
and reinforcement of the northern approaches to Japan.
Following Japan's withdrawal from the Aleutians, the Northeast Area Fleet was reassigned directly to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in October 1944. It participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
, and surviving vessels were joined to the Southeast Area Fleet
Southeast Area Fleet
The was a fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy established during World War II.-History:The Southeast Area Fleet was an operational command of the Imperial Japanese Navy combining the remaining surface elements of the IJN 8th Fleet with the IJN 11th Air Fleet, the No.5 Special Base Unit...
on 15 December 1944. On 5 February 1945, the Southeast Area Fleet became the IJN 10th Area Fleet
IJN 10th Area Fleet
The was a fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy established during World War II.-History:The commander in chief of the 1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet based in Singapore was named commander in chief of the newly created Tenth Area Fleet on 1 February 1944...
, at which time the remnants of the IJN 5th Fleet's administrative structure were disbanded.
In Second Sino-Japanese War
- Cruiser Division 9
- Heavy cruiser MyōkoJapanese cruiser Myokowas the name-ship of the four-member of heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy — the other ships of the class being the Nachi, Ashigara, and Haguro....
(Flagship), Light cruiser
- Heavy cruiser Myōko
- Cruiser Division 10
- Light cruiser TenryūJapanese cruiser Tenryuwas the lead ship in the two-ship of light cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Tenryū was named after the Tenryū River in Nagano and Shizuoka prefectures.-Background:...
,
- Light cruiser Tenryū
- Torpedo Squadron 5
- Light cruiser
- Destroyer Division 3
- Destroyer , , , , , ,
- Destroyer Division 16
- Destroyer AsagaoWakatake class destroyerThe was a class of eight 2nd-class destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.-Background:The medium-sized Wakatake-class destroyers were a follow-on to the Momi class destroyer as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's 8-6 Fleet Program from fiscal 1921 as a lower cost accompaniment to the larger...
, YūgaoWakatake class destroyerThe was a class of eight 2nd-class destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.-Background:The medium-sized Wakatake-class destroyers were a follow-on to the Momi class destroyer as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's 8-6 Fleet Program from fiscal 1921 as a lower cost accompaniment to the larger...
, FuyōWakatake class destroyerThe was a class of eight 2nd-class destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.-Background:The medium-sized Wakatake-class destroyers were a follow-on to the Momi class destroyer as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's 8-6 Fleet Program from fiscal 1921 as a lower cost accompaniment to the larger...
, KarukayaWakatake class destroyerThe was a class of eight 2nd-class destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.-Background:The medium-sized Wakatake-class destroyers were a follow-on to the Momi class destroyer as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's 8-6 Fleet Program from fiscal 1921 as a lower cost accompaniment to the larger...
- Destroyer Asagao
- Destroyer Division 23
- Destroyer KikuzukiMutsuki class destroyerThe was a class of twelve destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. All were given traditional poetic names of the months of the year by the Lunar calendar or phases of the moon...
, MikazukiMutsuki class destroyerThe was a class of twelve destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. All were given traditional poetic names of the months of the year by the Lunar calendar or phases of the moon...
, MochizukiMutsuki class destroyerThe was a class of twelve destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. All were given traditional poetic names of the months of the year by the Lunar calendar or phases of the moon...
, YūzukiMutsuki class destroyerThe was a class of twelve destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. All were given traditional poetic names of the months of the year by the Lunar calendar or phases of the moon...
- Destroyer Kikuzuki
- Carrier Division 3
- Seaplane tender Kamoi, Auxiliary seaplane tender Kagu Maru, Kamikawa MaruJapanese seaplane tender Kamikawa Maruwas a seaplane tender in the Imperial Japanese Navy . The ship was initially built at Kawasaki's Kōbe Shipyard and launched on 13 December 1936 as a merchant vessel for the Kawasaki Kisen K. K. Line. On 18 September 1937 the IJN requisitioned as an aircraft transport ship and was refitted in 1939...
- Seaplane tender Kamoi, Auxiliary seaplane tender Kagu Maru, Kamikawa Maru
- Carrier Division 4
- Seaplane tender Notoro, Auxiliary seaplane tender Kinugasa Maru
Order of Battle at time of Pearl Harbor
- Cruiser Division 21 (Based at ŌminatoMutsu, Aomoriis a city located in northeastern Aomori in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the city had an estimated population of 61,205 and a density of 70.09 persons per km²...
)- Light cruiser (Flagship), , Auxiliary seaplane tender Kimikawa MaruJapanese seaplane tender Kimikawa MaruKimikawa Maru was a seaplane tender of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The ship was built by the Kawasaki Dockyard Co. at Kobe as a cargo ship for a civilian ship company. In July 1941 the ship was taken-over by the IJN and converted into an auxiliary seaplane tender. She was able to operate 6 Aichi...
(based at HoromushiroParamushirParamushir , is a volcanic island in the northern portion of Kuril Islands chain in the Sea of Okhotsk in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It is separated from Shumshu by the very narrow Second Kuril Strait in the northeast , from Antsiferov by the Luzhin Strait to the southwest, from Atlasov in the...
)
- Light cruiser (Flagship), , Auxiliary seaplane tender Kimikawa Maru
- Cruiser Division 22 (based at KushiroKushiro, Hokkaidois a city located in Kushiro Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is the capital city of Kushiro Subprefecture, as well as the most populous city in eastern Hokkaidō....
)- Auxiliary cruiser Akagi Maru, Asaka Maru, Awata Maru
- Gunboat Division 10
- Auxiliary gunboat Yoshida Maru, Magane Maru
- Subchaser Division 66
- Auxiliary subchaser Fumi Maru, No.2 Seki Maru, Auxiliary netlayer Kōgi Maru
- Minesweeper Division 17
- Auxiliary minesweeper No.5 Toshi Maru, No.8 Toshi Maru, Keinan Maru, No.10 Misago Maru
- Patrol division 7
- Support craft Hokuyō-Gō, Auxiliary support craft No.1 Sasayama Maru
- 1st Platoon
- Auxiliary patrol boat No.5 Fukuichi Maru, Chōkai Maru, No.5 Seiju Maru, Kairyū Maru
- 2nd Platoon
- Auxiliary patrol boat No.3 Yachiyo Maru, No.23 Toku Maru, No.1 Fuku Maru
- 3rd Platoon
- Auxiliary patrol boat Eikichi Maru, No.3 Shōsei Maru, Shōei Maru, No.2 Taihei Maru
- 4th Platoon
- Auxiliary patrol boat No.5 Ebisu Maru, No.2 Kaihō Maru, Kaijin Maru
- 5th Platoon
- Auxiliary patrol boat No.1 Nittō Maru, No.2 Nittō Maru, No.23 Nittō Maru
- 6th Platoon
- Auxiliary patrol boat No.25 Nittō Maru, Kōki Maru, Fuji Maru
- No.7 Base Force (based at Chichi-jimaChichi-jima, formerly known as Peel Island and in the 19th century known to the English as part of the Bonin Islands, is the largest island in the Ogasawara archipelago. Chichi-jima is approximately 150 miles north of Iwo Jima. The island is within the political boundaries of Ogasawara Town, Ogasawara...
) - Chichijima Naval Air Group
- Direct control from headquarter of the fleet
- Torpedo boat SagiOtori class torpedo boatThe were a class of eight 840 ton fast torpedo boats of the Imperial Japanese Navy.-Development:The eight ships were ordered in 1934 and were commissioned between 1936 and 1937...
, HatoOtori class torpedo boatThe were a class of eight 840 ton fast torpedo boats of the Imperial Japanese Navy.-Development:The eight ships were ordered in 1934 and were commissioned between 1936 and 1937...
- Torpedo boat Sagi
- Attached ships for the fleet
- Oiler ShiriyaNotoro class oilerThe was a class of seven oilers of the Imperial Japanese Navy , serving during the 1920s and the World War II. They were also called the , after the Notoro and the Shiretoko were converted to other ship types.-Construction:...
- Auxiliary gunboat Kaihō Maru
- Auxiliary transport ship Nissan Maru, Chōkō Maru, No.2 Tōkō Maru, Akashisan Maru
- Oiler Shiriya
Order of Battle at time of Operation Cottage
- Cruiser Division 21 (based at HoromushiroParamushirParamushir , is a volcanic island in the northern portion of Kuril Islands chain in the Sea of Okhotsk in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It is separated from Shumshu by the very narrow Second Kuril Strait in the northeast , from Antsiferov by the Luzhin Strait to the southwest, from Atlasov in the...
)- Heavy cruiser (Flagship), , Light cruiser ,
- Cruiser Division 22
- Auxiliary cruiser Akagi Maru, Asaka Maru, Awata Maru
- Cruiser Destroyer Squadron 1 (based at HoromushiroParamushirParamushir , is a volcanic island in the northern portion of Kuril Islands chain in the Sea of Okhotsk in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It is separated from Shumshu by the very narrow Second Kuril Strait in the northeast , from Antsiferov by the Luzhin Strait to the southwest, from Atlasov in the...
)- Light cruiser
- Destroyer Division 2 (This division was rented from CruDesron 4.)
- Destroyer
- Destroyer Division 6 (This division was rented from CruDesron 11.)
- Destroyer
- Destroyer Division 9
- Destroyer ,
- Destroyer Division 10 (This division was rented from CruDesron 10.)
- Destroyer , ,
- Destroyer Division 21 (Shimakaze was rented from CruDesron 2.)
- Destroyer , ,
- Destroyer Division 31 (This division was rented from CruDesron 2.)
- Destroyer
- No.51 Special Base Force (based at KiskaKiskaKiska is an island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska located at . It is about long and varies in width from - Discovery :...
) - Attached ships for the fleet
- Submarine Flotilla 7
- Submarine I-2, I-4, I-5, I-6
- Escort ship Kunashiri
- Auxiliary seaplane tender Kimikawa Maru
- Auxiliary oiler Nippon Maru, Teiyō Maru
- Submarine Flotilla 7
Order of Battle at time of Leyte Gulf
- Cruiser Division 16 (They did not participate in the naval battle, because it was commanded to do transportation duty.)
- Heavy cruiser , Light cruiser , , Destroyer
- Cruiser Division 21
- Heavy cruiser (Flagship),
- Light cruiser (She was lent to the 3rd Fleet.)
- Light cruiser (She did not participate in the naval battle, because it was commanded to do transportation duty.)
- Cruiser Destroyer Squadron 1
- Light cruiser
- Destroyer Division 7
- Destroyer ,
- Destroyer Division 18
- Destroyer ,
- Destroyer Division 21 (It did not participate in the naval battle, because it was commanded to do transportation duty.)
- Destroyer , ,
Order of Battle at time of Mindoro
- Heavy cruiser (Flagship)
- Cruiser Destroyer Squadron 31
- Light cruiser
- Destroyer Division 43
- Destroyer TakeMatsu class destroyerThe were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy , who referred to them as .-Design basis:The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time...
, UmeMatsu class destroyerThe were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy , who referred to them as .-Design basis:The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time...
, MomoMatsu class destroyerThe were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy , who referred to them as .-Design basis:The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time...
, SugiMatsu class destroyerThe were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy , who referred to them as .-Design basis:The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time...
, MakiMatsu class destroyerThe were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy , who referred to them as .-Design basis:The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time...
, KaedeMatsu class destroyerThe were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy , who referred to them as .-Design basis:The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time...
- Destroyer Take
- Destroyer Division 52
- Destroyer KashiMatsu class destroyerThe were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy , who referred to them as .-Design basis:The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time...
, HinokiMatsu class destroyerThe were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy , who referred to them as .-Design basis:The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time...
- Destroyer Kashi
- Coast Defence Division 21
- Escort ship Manju, Kanju, Kasado, Miyake, IkunaUkuru class escort shipThe were a class of ships in the service of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.The Japanese called these ships Kaibōkan, "ocean defence ships" , a name used to denote a multi-purpose vessel....
, YakuUkuru class escort shipThe were a class of ships in the service of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.The Japanese called these ships Kaibōkan, "ocean defence ships" , a name used to denote a multi-purpose vessel....
- Escort ship Manju, Kanju, Kasado, Miyake, Ikuna
- 933rd Naval Air Group (Based at SaikiSaiki, Oitais a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the former city had an estimated population of 49,183 and the density of 249.19 persons per km²...
)
- Attached ships for fleet
- Escort ship No.21, No.22, No.29, No.31, No.43
Commanders of the IJN 5th Fleet
Commander in chief| Rank | Name | Date | |
| 1 | Admiral | Koichi Shiozawa Koichi Shiozawa -External links:* - Notes :... |
1 February 1938 – 15 December 1938 |
| 2 | Admiral | Nobutake Kondō | 15 December 1938 – 29 September 1939 |
| 3 | Admiral | Shirō Takasu Shirō Takasu Admiral was a career naval officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.-Biography:Takasu was a native of Sakuragawa Village, , and graduated from the 35th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, where his classmates included future admirals Nobutake Kondō and Naokuni Nomura... |
29 September 1939 – 15 November 1939 |
| x | Disbanded | 15 November 1939 – 25 July 1941 | |
| 4 | Vice-Admiral | Boshirō Hosogaya Boshiro Hosogaya , was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.-Biography:Hosogaya was born to a farming family in Nozawa, Nagano prefecture in 1888. He graduated from the 36th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1908. He was ranked 16th in a class of 191 cadets. As a midshipman, he... |
25 July 1941 – 31 March 1943 |
| 5 | Vice-Admiral | Shiro Kawase | 31 March 1943 – 15 February 1944 |
| 6 | Vice-Admiral | Kiyohide Shima | 15 February 1944 – 5 February 1945 |
Chief of Staff
{| class=wikitable
! || Rank|| Name || Date ||
|-
|1|| Vice-Admiral || Minoru Tayui|| 1 February 1938 – 15 December 1938
|-
|2|| Vice-Admiral || Tamon Yamaguchi|| 15 December 1938 – 15 November 1939
|-
|3|| Vice-Admiral || Tasuku Nakazawa|| 25 July 1941 – 6 November 1942
|-
|4|| Rear-Admiral || Yoshiyuki Ichimiya|| 6 November 1942 – 19 March 1943
|-
|5|| Rear-Admiral || Noboru Owada|| 10 March 1943 – 17 November 1943
|-
|6|| Rear-Admiral || Takeshi Matsumoto|| 17 November 1943 – 5 February 1945
|-
|}