At the beginning of the Pacific War, she served in home waters as the plane guard for those aircraft carriers that were training or working up.

In mid-1942, the ship played a minor role in the Battle of Midway and was then assigned to convoy escort duties between Formosa and Japan for the next year.

The turbines were designed to produce 38,500 shaft horsepower (28,700 kW), which would propel the ships at 37.25 knots (68.99 km/h; 42.87 mph).

[4] Mikazuki was one of six Mutsuki-class ships reconstructed in 1935–36, with their hulls strengthened, raked caps fitted to the funnels and shields to the torpedo mounts.

[6][Note 1] Mikazuki, built at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal, was laid down on 21 August 1925,[2] launched on 12 July 1926[4] and completed on 5 May 1927.

[3] In the late 1930s, she participated in combat during the Second Sino-Japanese War, covering the landings of Japanese troops in central and southern China.

From the end of March to 10 June 1943, Mikazuki underwent refit at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal, after which she was reassigned to Destroyer Division 30 of Desron 3, in the IJN 8th Fleet based out of Rabaul.

[5] From the end of June 1943 to July 1943, Mikazuki was used primarily as a Tokyo Express high speed transport to convey troops and supplies to Kolombangara.