Japanese Light Cruisers
Entries in bold indicate photos.
Tenryu Class
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Tatsuta Tenryu |
The Tenryus were Japans first light cuisers and were based on the British Arethusas. Although well armed, firing arcs were poor. |
Kuma Class
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Kiso Kitakami Kuma Oi Tama |
The Kumas were a development of the Tenryus with better armament, but the same protection and greater engine power. |
Nagara Class
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Abukama Isuzu Kinu Nagara Natori Yura |
The Nagaras were based on the Tenryus, but with a greater beam for increased stability. They were designed as flagships for destroyer and cruiser squadrons. |
Sendai Class
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Jintsu Kako Naka Sendai |
The Sendais were a modification of the Nagaras. A flying off platform was fitted forward, but no aircraft were fitted until the addition of a catpult. |
Yubari Class
| Yubari | Yubari was an experimental ship to test a large armament on a small hull. Protection was also increased on previous ships. |
Agano Class
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Agano Noshiro Sakawa Yahagi |
The Aganos were built in the 1930s as a replacement for the now aging Tenryu, Kuma and Nagara classes. They were fast, but with little protection. In practice they were used as destroyer and cruiser leaders. |
Oyodo Class
| Oyodo | The Oyodo was built as a flotilla leader for submarine groups, and as such carried 6 aircraft on the stern with all the main armament forward. |
Last updated : 10th July 1999
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