In January 1942, "Arare" escorted aircraft carriers and to Truk, and onwards to Rabaul to cover landings of Japanese forces at Rabaul and Kavieng. She returned with from Palau to Yokosuka on 13 February, and spent the following month in training patrols. On 17 March, she departed Yokosuka with and to Staring-baai in Sulawesi, Netherlands East Indies.