Rear-Admiral Kouichiro Hatakeyama was a commander of Ambon Island Invasion Force (consisting of 1st Kure SNLF and two platoons of Sasebo SNLF). He landed on Ambon Island on 31 January 1942, captured Laha airfield on 2 February 1942 and ordered execution of Dutch and Australian POWs on 1, 5 and 6 February 1942. He was on 17 February 1942 relieved by Lieutenant Commander Hayashi.
He was killed later in the war.