大湊警備府
On 1 January 1944, "Akebono" was reassigned to the IJN 5th Fleet. On 14 January, she rescued 89 survivors of torpedoed destroyer en route to Truk. Returning to Yokosuka for repairs and refit on 25 January, she was reassigned to Ōminato Guard District for patrols of northern waters through October. However, as the situation continued to deteriorate for Japan in the Philippines, she was reassigned to Admiral Kiyohide Shima's Diversionary Force at the Battle of Surigao Strait on 24 October. The following day, "Akebono" rescued about 700 survivors of the heavy cruiser and then scuttled her with a torpedo.