In May 1942, Kimura was promoted to rear admiral. He commanded the destroyer screening force (Destroyer Squadron 10) at the Battle of Midway, during which time his flagship was the cruiser "Nagara". He continued to command Destroyer Squadron 10 into the Guadalcanal Campaign (including the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.) During the Battle of Leyte Gulf he commanded Destroyer Squadron 10 from the light cruiser "Yahagi".