View source for Japanese target ship Hakachi

The Hakachi (波勝) was a purpose-built target ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) designed for bombing training during World War II. As part of Project J32, she was constructed specifically to address limitations with earlier converted ships like the Yakaze, which lacked sufficient armor and could only withstand 1 kilogram bombs. Hakachi, in contrast, was built to endure 10 kilogram bombs dropped from a height of 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) and featured a flat steel deck that provided additional protection against training bombs. Her design made her unique among IJN vessels as the only ship purpose-built for this role.

Commissioned on November 18, 1943, Hakachi joined the Combined Fleet in December and was stationed at Truk for bomber training. She was damaged during Operation Hailstone in February 1944 but repaired and rearmed with two 4.7-inch guns, 28 Type 96 25-mm anti-aircraft (AA) guns, and 36 depth charges. She continued to serve in various roles, including convoy escort operations, and survived the war. Post-war, she was assigned to the Allied Repatriation Service, transporting 1,641 former military personnel back to Japan before being scrapped in Osaka in 1947.