Rear Admiral Kakaji Kakuta acted as Commander of Carrier Division 4 (CVL Ryujo) on 8 December 1941 and as Commander of Carrier Division 4 between December 1941 - February 1942 (Operations against the Philippines and Netherlands East Indies).

He commanded than the Second Mobile Force and Carrier Division 4 (CVL Ryujo and CVL Junyo) between May - July 1942 (Operation "AL" - operations against Aleutians).

As Rear Admiral he commanded the Carrier Division 2 (CVL Ryujo, CVL Junyo and CVL Hiyo) on 14 July 1942 and the Carrier Division 2 in October 1942 (Operations in the Solomons - Battle of Cape Esperance).

He was promoted to Vice Admiral, became Commander First Air Fleet, February - August 1944 (Defense of the Marianas - headquarters on Tinian) and presumed killed or suicide in August 1944 after American capture of Tinian Island (last heard from 31 July 1944).