On 25 August 1942, "Nagara" participated in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, which it survived without damage, arriving at Truk on 5 September 1942. From Truk, "Nagara" made a number of sorties towards the Solomon Islands in September. On 25–26 October 1942, "Nagara" participated in the Battle of Santa Cruz, and again returned to Truk undamaged.