2nd Agano-class of light cruisers (Total 4), named after the Noshiro River in Akita Prefecture in northern Japan
Commissioned: 30 June 1943
retrofit - 28 Mar 1944
Battle of the Philippine Sea (19 June 1944)
retrofit at Kure Naval Arsenal (late Jun~early Jul 1944) - Added two more triple-mount Type 96 25 mm AA gun mounts (total number of 25 mm guns to 48 barrels (10x3, 18x1)), A Type 13 air-search & Type 22 surface-search radar were added
Battle of Leyte Gulf (22 October 1944)
Battle of the Sibuyan Sea (24 October 1944)
Battle off Samar (25 Oct 1944) - Noshiro hit escort carrier USS White Plains with several 6-inch shells, but was in turn hit starboard side by a 5-inch shell from an US destroyer. She also participated in the sinking of escort carrier USS Gambier Bay
26 October 1944 - Noshiro was sunk by USN aircraft from s USS Wasp, USS Cowpens & USS Hornet. 328 survivors were rescued by destroyers Akishimo & Hamanami rescued.