later Sakura arrived at Kure, Japan. The squadron was briefly attached to the Second Fleet from 1–20 April before rejoining the Combined Fleet. Sakura was slightly damaged when she struck a mine in Shimonoseki Strait between Kyushu and Honshu on 25 May. The ship was tasked with minesweeping duties the following month. When she struck a mine on 11 July in Osaka Harbor, her aft magazine exploded, severing her stern. The ship sank at coordinates with the loss of 130 crewmen. Sakura was removed from the navy list on 10 August. References Bibliography Matsu-class destroyers Ships built by Yokosuka Naval Arsenal 1944 ships World War II destroyers of Japan Ships sunk by mines Maritime incidents in July 1945 Shipwrecks of Japan