Tokyo Express
"Satsuki" participated in several “Tokyo Express” troop transport missions throughout the Solomons through the end of May, suffering damage when grounded on a reef southeast of Bougainville on 24 May, forcing a return to Rabaul for repairs. In June and July, "Satsuki" resumed “Tokyo Express” transport missions to Tuluvu and Kolombangara, participating in the Battle of Kula Gulf (5–6 July) and Battle of Kolombangara (12 July) but suffering no damage. "Satsuki" was, however, damaged on 17 July when attacked at Shortlands in an air raid by Allied bombers, forcing a return to Kure Naval Arsenal via Rabaul, Truk, and Yokosuka. On 5 September, "Satsuki" departed Kure back for Rabaul, where it resumed “Tokyo Express” operations to Kolombangara, Gasmata, and Buka. Returning briefly to Japan in November, "Satsuki" returned to Rabaul in early December and continued to make transport runs through the end of the year.