Jintsu was a Sendai-class light cruiser. She was launched on 8 December 1923 and completed on 31 July 1925. Captain Raizo Tanaka had her from 1 December 1937 to 15 December 1938. He came back later as a flag officer. He was not her captain again.
Captain Torazo Kasai took her on 15 October 1940. On 27 February 1942 she was the flagship of Destroyer Squadron 2, and Rear Admiral Tanaka's flag was in her. With her were the destroyers of Division 16, Yukikaze, Tokitsukaze, Amatsukaze, and Hatsukaze.
By the Japanese records she launched torpedoes at about 1727 and again at about 1936. None hit. She was not sunk in the Java Sea. Kasai left her on 26 December 1942.
On 13 July 1943, at the Battle of Kolombangara, Rear Admiral Shunji Izaki flew his flag in her and was killed. Tanaka was not aboard. She was sunk. The sinking is not credited to one ship.