At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, "Kawakaze" was assigned to Destroyer Division 24 of Destroyer Squadron 4 of the IJN 2nd Fleet, and had sortied from Palau as part of the Philippine invasion force, covering landings at Legaspi and Lamon Bay. From January 1942, "Kawakaze" participated in operations in the Netherlands East Indies, including the invasions of Tarakan Island, Balikpapan and Makassar. After covering the invasion of Java, "Kawakaze" engaged a group of Allied destroyers during the Battle of the Java Sea, and was credited with assisting in the sinking of the American destroyer , and the British cruiser and destroyer , rescuing 35 British survivors from both ships. In April, "Kawakaze" assisted in the invasion of Panay and Negros in the Philippines. From 10 May, "Kawakaze" was reassigned to the IJN 1st Fleet and returned to Sasebo Naval Arsenal for repairs at the end of the month.