Escorted troop convoy from Rabaul towards Lae. Sunk: after being hit early in Allied air attacks of 3 March; went out of control and rammed NOJIMA. 176 survivors later rescued by YUKIKAZE, and the abandoned hulk was sunk 4 March by Allied aircraft, 55 miles southeast of Finschhafen (07-15 S, 148-15 E); 72, including Commander Kuboki, killed in action.