At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, "Ikazuchi" was assigned to Destroyer Division 6 of Desron 1 of the IJN 1st Fleet, and had deployed from Mako Guard District to provide cover for landing operations in the Invasion of Hong Kong. After assisting the cruiser in sinking British gunboats HMS "Cicada" and HMS "Robin", she helped secure Hong Kong Harbor. After the start of 1942, "Ikazuchi" deployed from Hong Kong to Davao, providing cover for landing operations during the Battle of Ambon, and Battle of Timor in the Netherlands East Indies.