In 1939, the IJN planned two food supply ships for China Area Fleet under the Maru 4 Programme. One was the 600-ton type Nosaki (initial named Support ship No. 4007), the other the 1,000-ton type Kinesaki (initial named Support ship No. 4006). The Navy then ordered several more ships to the design of the Kinesaki; these became the Hayasaki, Shirasaki, and Arasaki. The Navy intended to order several more ships of this design by 1942, but Japan's worsening situation in the war by this stage led to the abandonment of these plans.
Service
The Kinesaki served in the Central Pacific Area, the Hayasaki in the Southwest Area, the Shirasaki in the Northeast Area, and the Arasaki in the Southeast Area. They also undertook convoy escort operations. The Kinesaki was sunk in March 1945, while the other ships of the class survived the war.
Renamed Nanshin on 25 October 1940. Renamed Kinesaki on 1 April 1942. Sunk by air raid at Amami Ōshima on 1 March 1945.
261
Hayasaki (早埼)
Ōsaka Iron Works, Sakurajima Factory
2 December 1941
21 May 1942
31 August 1942
Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Surrendered to the Soviet Union on 3 October 1947 at Nakhodka.
262
Shirasaki (白埼)
Ōsaka Iron Works, Sakurajima Factory
18 May 1942
5 November 1942
30 January 1943
Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Surrendered to the Republic of China on 3 October 1947 at Qingdao, renamed Wu Ling (AKL-311). Decommissioned on 1 May 1970.
263
Arasaki (荒埼)
Hitachi Zōsen, Sakurajima Factory
10 November 1942
27 February 1943
29 May 1943
Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Surrendered to the United States on 3 October 1947 at Qingdao, sold to Japan that same day. Transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and renamed Umitaka Maru (海鷹丸) in April 1948. Sold to the Philippines in April 1967.
