Akizuki, first of a dozen-ship class of 2701-ton destroyers optimized for anti-aircraft purposes, was built at Maizuru, Japan. Completed in June 1942, she entered combat as a escort during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in August 1942. For the next two months, Akizuki continued her involvement in the bitter campaign to retake Guadalcanal. In mid-October she escorted ships taking reinforcements to the embattled island. Later, on 25 October, she was part of a force sent to support a major effort to capture the American positions on Guadalcanal, but was hit and damaged in the same air attacks that sank the light cruiser Yura.

Following repairs, Akizuki rejoined the Mobile Fleet. She escorted the largest aircraft carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 and was assigned a similar role in the operation that led to the Battle of Cape Enga?o on 25 October 1944. During the first U.S. carrier plane attacks in that action she was hit amidships and set afire. Within a few minutes of receiving this damage, Akizuki exploded and sank.