From 13 March 1942, "Asahi" was stationed at Singapore, and in April her crew performed repairs on the light cruiser , which had been torpedoed by the submarine off Christmas Island. Departing Singapore for Kure on 22 May, escorted by the subchaser "CH-9", "Asahi" was sighted by the submarine on the night of 25/26 May 1942, southeast of Cape Padaran, Indochina. Of "Salmon"s four torpedoes, two hit the ship in her port central boiler room and aft spaces. At 01:03, moments after being hit, "Asahi" sank at . Sixteen men were killed in the attack; the ship's captain and 582 crewmen were rescued by "CH-9".