 Kagawa was promoted to captain on 15 October 1941, and after a series of staff positions, was appointed commander of the 31st Destroyer Group (Desdiv 31) on 12 February 1943.Kagawa's group consisted of the destroyers (flagship), , , and .During the Battle of Cape St. George on 26 November 1943, "Onami" was sunk and Kagawa was killed in action.