The two Tenryū-class cruisers were the first light cruisers operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy. They participated in numerous actions during World War II.

The Kuma-class light cruisers were a class of five light cruisers built for and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). The Kuma-class cruisers proved useful in combat operations ranging from the Aleutian Islands to the Indian Ocean throughout World War II.