In early 1944, "Itsukushima" was assigned to escort convoys between Ambon, Surabaya and Halmahera Island. On 6 May, she was unsuccessfully attacked by , in the Celebes Sea. On 31 May, "Itsukushima" was assigned to "Operation KON" (the Relief of Biak), transporting reinforcements from Zamboanga on Mindanao in an effort to counter the American landings. On 24 August, "Itsukushima" was attacked by USAAF B-25 Mitchell bombers from the 345th Bomb Group while escorting a convoy near Lahbeh Strait near the Celebes. A near miss flooded her aft section, and engine room. She was attacked again on 2 September, but shot down two of the attacking planes, and so damaging two others that they were forced to crash-land. On 4 October, the minelayer arrived to take "Itsukushima" under tow for Surabaya. However, on 17 October, while transiting the Java Sea under tow, "Itsukushima" was torpedoed by the Royal Dutch Navy submarine , and sank at position .