At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, "Akebono" was assigned to Destroyer Division 7 of the IJN 1st Air Fleet, but was unable to participate in the attack due to a damaged propeller, and was held in reserve in Japanese home waters as a guard vessel. Repairs completed by mid-January 1942, "Akebono" was part of the escort for the aircraft carriers and during air strikes against Ambon. She was later part of the escort for the cruisers and during "Operation J" (the Japanese invasion of the eastern Netherlands East Indies). On 1 March, at the Battle of the Java Sea, "Akebono" assisted in sinking the British cruiser and destroyer , and the American destroyer . She returned to Yokosuka Naval Arsenal for repairs at the end of March.