On 10 April 1941, "Kuma" was assigned to Vice Admiral Ibo Takahashi's CruDiv 16 in the Japanese 3rd Fleet. At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor on 8 December 1941, "Kuma" was participating in the invasion of the northern Philippines, having departed from its base in Mako, Pescadores Islands with the , and destroyers and . From 10–11 December, "Kuma" covered landings at Aparri and Vigan; off Vigan, "Kuma" was attacked unsuccessfully by five USAAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers of the 14th Squadron. On 22 December, "Kuma" covered further landings at Lingayen Gulf, Philippines.