Since the Meiji period, the Imperial Japanese Navy has carried out hydrographic survey with old naval vessels.

While sufficient for routine peacetime survey duties, these obsolete vessels were deemed too slow for service in combat zones.

In 1930, the IJN proposed two 1,600-ton survey ships (Project Number J6) to the Ministry of Finance, but were unable to pass assessments.

IJN gave her armament and maneuverability similar to that of Kaibokan several years later, as she was expected to carry out surveys in combat zones.

On 10 March, she was assigned to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet; she carried out survey works off Surabaya, Balikpapan, and Davao until August.