Nachi was a Myoko-class heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Takahiko Kiyota became her captain on 20 August 1941 and was relieved on 16 November 1942. Akira Sone took the ship that day and remained until 10 September 1943.
On 27 February 1942 Rear Admiral Takeo Takagi flew his flag in her in the Java Sea. He was not her captain. The gun duel began about 1616. Japanese records credit her torpedo with Java. Later accounts credit her with two 8-inch hits on Houston, one of which did not explode. She was not sunk.
Shiro Shibuya assumed command on 10 September 1943 and was relieved on 20 August 1944. Enpei Kanooka succeeded him the same day and was still in command when Nachi was lost.
On 25 October 1944 she was Shima's flagship at the Battle of Surigao Strait. In that action she collided with the burning Mogami and turned back with Shima.
Carrier aircraft sank her in Manila Bay on 5 November 1944. The loss is not credited to one carrier.