"Fusō" was assigned to the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy at Etajima, Hiroshima, for use as a training ship between 15 November 1942 and 15 January 1943. On 8 June, she rescued 353 survivors from "Mutsu" when that ship exploded at Hashirajima. After carrying supplies to Truk Naval Base in August, "Fusō" made for Eniwetok two months later to be in a position to intercept an anticipated attack, returning to Truk on October 26. She arrived on 21 February at Lingga Island, and was employed there as a training ship, before refitting at Singapore between 13 and 27 April and returning to Lingga. She was transferred to Tawi-Tawi on 11 May, and provided cover for the abortive attempts to reinforce Biak Island at the end of the month. "Fusō" sailed to Tarakan Island off Borneo to refuel in early July before returning to Japan, escaping an attack by the submarine . She was refitted in early August at Kure.