In 1915, a rush order was placed for a purpose-built ocean-minelayer, with the costs to be covered under the Eight-six Fleet program as part of the Muroto-class colliers.

[2] Katsuriki Maru was completed in time for the final stages of World War I, when the threat of German attack on Japanese harbors was negligible.

She served on occasion as a guard ship around various islands in Japan's recently acquired South Seas Mandate in the 1920s, and during that period she also carried out maritime surveying duties.

[3] With the start of World War II, Katsuriki was re-designated as a “secret military vessel” on 20 July 1942, although her mission remained that of maritime surveying.

[3] On 21 September 1944, she was hit by two torpedoes fired by USS Haddo 80 nautical miles (150 km) southwest of Manila 13°35′N 119°06′E / 13.583°N 119.100°E / 13.583; 119.100 and sank.