Sugi (杉, "Cedar") was one of 18 Matsu-class escort destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. Completed in mid-1944, the ship played a minor role in the Battle off Cape Engaño in October, escorting aircraft carriers and then began escorting convoys. She was damaged during the Battle of Ormoc Bay in December escorting a troop convoy in the Philippines and then escorted cruisers on a bombardment mission during later that month. Sugi was damaged again by American aircraft during the South China Sea raid in January 1945 and then escorted a convoy back to Japan in February where she was repaired.