1st Kuma-class light cruisers (total 5), named after the Kuma River in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan.
Invasion of the Philippines (10 April 1941) - Kuma participated in the invasion of the northern Philippines (8 December 1941), with heavy cruisers Ashigara(足柄), Maya and destroyers Asakaze and Matsukaze. Invasion of the southern Philippines (1 March 1942), Kuma was shelling Cebu. On 9 April 1942, off Cebu, Kuma and the torpedo boat Kiji were attacked by U.S. torpedo boats PT-34 and PT-41. Kuma was hit in the bow by one Mark 8 Torpedoes. PT-34 was destroyed by Mitsubishi F1M Pete launched from the seaplane tender Sanuki Maru. Kuma remained on patrol at Manila until 12 August 1942.
20 September 1942, Kuma transported 38th Infantry Division from Hong Kong to Rabaul
refit in Singapore (1 November 1943) - No. 5 140-mm gun was removed.Two triple mount Type 96 25-mm AA guns were fitted (total 10 x 25-mm AA guns (2x3, 2x2).
On 11 January 1944, departing from Penang, Malaysia with destroyer Uranami, Kuma sank after hitting by 2 torpedoes from Royal Navy submarine HMS Tally-Ho.
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