Japanese cruiser Tama  After the construction of the , the demerits of the small cruiser concept became apparent. At the end of 1917, plans for an additional six "Tenryū"-class vessels, plus three new-design 7,200 ton-class scouting cruisers were shelved, in favor of an intermediate 5,500 ton-class vessel which could be used as both a long-range, high speed scout ship, and also as a command vessel for destroyer or submarine flotillas. The "Kuma"-class vessels were essentially enlarged versions of the "Tenryū"-class cruisers, with greater speed, range, and weaponry. With improvements in geared-turbine engine technology, the "Kuma"-class vessels were capable of the high speed of , and a range of at . The number of 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type naval guns was increased from three on the "Tenryū" class to seven on the "Kuma" class and provision was made for 48 naval mines. However, the two triple torpedo launchers on the "Tenryū" class was reduced to two double launchers, and the "Kuma" class remained highly deficient in anti-aircraft protection, with only two 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval guns. "Tama" was completed at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki shipyard on 29 January 1921. Immediately after commissioning, "Tama" was assigned to cover the landings of Japanese troops in Siberia during Japan's Siberian Intervention against the Bolshevik Red Army. In 1925, "Tama" was tasked with making a diplomatic voyage to San Pedro in the United States, to return the remains of US Ambassador to Japan, Edgar Bancroft, who had died in Tokyo. In 1932, with the Manchurian Incident, "Tama" was assigned to patrol the northern coasts of China, from its base in Taiwan. As the war in China continued to escalate, "Tama" was involved in operations to cover the landings of Japanese troops in central China. On 10 January 1935, the German naval attaché in Tokyo, Captain Paul Wenneker was invited by Admiral Nobumasa Suetsugu to tour "Tama", battleship and submarine at Yokosuka Naval District. Wenneker was reportedly unimpressed with Japanese naval artillery, and advocated increased use of submarine warfare. On 10 September 1941, "Tama" became flagship of Vice Admiral Boshirō Hosogaya's CruDiv 21 with the light cruiser , in the IJN 5th Fleet.