The IJN wanted the target ship top join the Combined Fleet to use it in the southern front.

Hakachi was built with such a background, she was able to sustain 10 kilogram bombs dropped from 4,000 m (13,000 ft) meters altitude.

Her flat steel deck gave her the appearance of an escort carrier and protected against 10 and 30 kilogram training bombs.

The IJN later built the Ōhama-class as a next generation target ships, because Hakachi was the only one available for training new pilots of bomber planes.

She was modified to serve as an escort for local convoys and rearmed with two 4.7-inch and 28 Type 96 25-mm AA guns and carried 36 depth charges.