Kawakaze was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Kiyoshi Kikkawa became her captain on 15 November 1939.
A year later, on 15 November 1940, Kazuo Wakabayashi took command. He was still her captain on 24 January 1942, the day of the Battle of Balikpapan. Kawakaze had been detached to another anchorage, took no part in the attack, and remained afloat.
Yoshio Yanase became captain on 28 November 1942. Two days later, on 30 November, Kawakaze was in the supply line at the Battle of Tassafaronga, on Tanaka's supply run.
Her end came in the Battle of Vella Gulf. She was sunk on 6-7 August 1943, going down on 6 August in the opening ambush with Hagikaze and Arashi. Torpedo and gunfire finished her.
Credit for the loss rests with the United States destroyer group that opened the ambush. Yanase was her captain when she sank, and the hull was lost there.