from 29 march to 23 april 1942, "kinu" was assigned to rear admiral ruitaro fujita's "n" expeditionary force for the invasion of dutch new guinea, which included the seaplane carrier , destroyers and , torpedo boats , , transports and a naval landing force. afterwards, for most of the month of may, "kinu" returned to kure naval arsenal for an overhaul. after returning to the southern front, "kinu" was assigned to patrols of the java sea from june through september.