The was a class of three armed merchant cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Background The Akagi Maru-class vessels were originally built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Nippon Yusen company as A-class cargo ships. They were converted to "special transport" role in 1940, and to "auxiliary cruiser" role in 1941 (and therefore armed).
Operational history Akagi Maru Akagi Maru was sunk by air attack 17 February 1944 in Chuuk Lagoon as a part of the Operation Hailstone.IJN AKAGI MARU: Tabular Record of Movement
Asaka Maru Asaka Maru (:ja:浅香丸 (特設巡洋艦)) circumnavigated the globe in January–April 1941, bringing 3,000 tons of much needed military equipment from Germany. It also helped supply the Japanese occupation of Kiska. Asaka Maru was sunk by air attack 12 October 1944 near Penghu .IJN ASAKA MARU: Tabular Record of Movement
Awata Maru Awata Maru (:ja:粟田丸 (特設巡洋艦)) was slightly damaged in Doolittle Raid 18 April 1942. Later, it was a primary transport for the Japanese occupation of Kiska and Japanese occupation of Attu. It was sunk 22 October 1943 near Shanghai by the submarine .IJN AWATA MARU: Tabular Record of Movement
See also List of ship classes of the Second World War
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