Japanese Heavy cruiser Tone Country: Japan Type: Heavy cruiser Service: 1938 - 1945 Ordered: 1932 Fiscal Year Laid down: 1 December 1934 Launched: 21 November 1937 Commissioned: 20 November 1938 Struck: 20 November 1945 Fate: Sunk 24 July 1945

The two Tone class cruisers (were the last heavy cruisers produced for the Imperial Japanese Navy. These very vessels were intended to provide long-range air scouting for cruiser squadrons and to operate together with aircraft carrier task forces. The Tone class cruisers had a very distinctive silhouette, with all main armament concentrated forward and the aft section entirely devoted to aircraft operations. This allowed for strong and compact protection of the magazines while also increasing and improving the living quarters aft. They participated in numerous actions during in World War II.

Tone was the lead ship in the two-vessel Tone-class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was completed on 20 November 1938 at the Mitsubishi Nagasaki shipyards. She was extensively employed during World War II in conjunction with aircraft carrier task forces or as part of a cruiser squadron. On 24 July 1945, an American air strike resulted in the Tone being hit by three bombs, causing her to settle to the bottom of the Kure bay. The hulk was attacked again on 28 July. Tone was removed from the Navy List on 20 November 1945. Its hulk was raised and scrapped after the war from 1947-1948.