[6] From May 1942, Hatsuharu was reassigned to northern operations, and deployed from Ōminato Guard District with Abukuma as part of "Operation AL" in support of Admiral Boshiro Hosogaya's Northern Force in the Aleutians campaign, patrolling around Attu, Kiska and Amchitka Island until mid-July.

On 17 October, while accompanied by the destroyer Oboro, Hatsuharu was attacked by USAAF B-26 Marauder bombers off of Kiska.

Repairs finally completed by 11 October 1943, Hatsuharu sortied with Hatsushimo as escort for the aircraft carriers Ryūhō and Chitose to Singapore.

At the start of 1944, Hatsuharu was reassigned directly to Combined Fleet headquarters, and continued in escort missions between Yokosuka and Truk.

In July, she made two troop transport runs to Iwo Jima as part of the Japanese preparations against the American landings.

[8] On 24 October 1944, in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Hatsuharu rescued 78 survivors from Wakaba, which had been sunk by aircraft from USS Franklin off the west coast of Panay.

A series of near misses buckled plates and set fires, causing the ship to sink in shallow water (14°35′N 120°50′E / 14.583°N 120.833°E / 14.583; 120.833).