The were the only class of purpose-built cable layers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II. Four vessels were built in 1939–41 under the Maru 4 Programme. Apart from laying communications cables, these ships were also designed as mine planters, for the installation of controlled mines in coastal fortifications.

Ships in class

Project number J21.

Photos

Image:Japanese cable layer Tsurushima in 1941.jpg, ''Tsurushima'' on 20 March 1941 Image:Japanese cable layer Odate in 1941.jpg, ''Ōtate'' in 1941 Image:Japanese cable layer Tateishi in 1945.jpg, ''Tateishi'' on 21 March 1945 Image:Japanese cable layer TsurushimaMaru-1946.jpg, ''Tsurushima Maru'' in postwar

Footnotes

Bibliography

*Monthly Ships of the World, ''Special issue Vol.45, "Escort Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy"'', , (Japan), February 1996 *The Maru Special, ''Japanese Naval Vessels No.47, "Japanese naval mine warfare crafts"'', (Japan), January 1981 *Senshi Sōsho Vol.31, ''Naval armaments and war preparation (1), "Until November 1941"'', Asagumo Simbun (Japan), November 1969 {{DEFAULTSORT:Hashima-class cable layer World War II naval ships of Japan Auxiliary ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy Cable laying ships Coastal fortifications World War II minelayers of Japan, Mine warfare vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy Nippon Telegraph and Telephone