Japanese Heavy cruiser Takao Country: Japan Type: Heavy cruiser Service: 1932 - 1945 Ordered: early 1927 Laid down: April 28 1927 Launched: May 12 1930 Commissioned: May 31 1932 Struck: May 3 1947 Fate: Sunk October 19 1946

The Takao class was a class of four heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) launched between May 1930 and April 1931. They were a modified design from the Myoko class, which they replaced, and had an almost battleship-like, large bridge structure. Their main gun armament was ten 8-inch (203 mm) guns and they were also armed with sixteen 24 inch torpedoes (carrying more than the Myokos or Mogamis); the Takaos were considered the most heavily armed and best cruisers of the IJN. Four ships of the class were launched. All served in World War II.

Takao was the first of four Takao-class heavy cruisers. Takao was built by the Yokosuka Naval shipyards. She was operational in the interwar period and participated in the Second Sino-Japanese War. During World War II, Takao was engaged in various campaigns in the Pacific. On 23 October, Takao was hit by two torpedoes from an American submarine. Takao was badly damaged but survived. She spent the remainder of the war as an anti-aircraft battery in the Japanese defence of Singapore. Surrendered to the British, on 19 October 1946 the Takao was sunk as a target.