Oikawa's early naval career

Born into a wealthy family in 1883, Oikawa served in the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1903 to 1945 and died in 1958. He graduated in the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy's 31st class, ranked 76th of 188 cadets. As a midshipman during the Russo-Japanese War, he served aboard the cruiser Chiyoda at the Battle of Tsushima. His later service as a lieutenant included the battleship Katori. He received his first destroyer command, Asashio, in April 1911, subsequently served on Yugiri, and attended the Naval Staff College in 1914. His academy standing gave little indication of his eventual rise to the head of the naval staff.