Kako was a heavy cruiser of the Furutaka class in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Yuji Takahashi became her captain on 15 September 1941 and was still in command when she was lost. His first recorded action in her came at the Battle of Wake Island. On 11 December 1941, Kako covered the second landing.
She was present for the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942, operating with Shoho. Kako remained afloat when that day's fighting ended.
On 9 August 1942 she formed part of Mikawa's column at the Battle of Savo Island. The night action left her still afloat. Her loss came the following day, after the battle.
On 10 August 1942, about seventy miles short of Kavieng, the submarine S-44 torpedoed Kako. The torpedoes sank her, with Takahashi still her captain.