In December 1941, "Kumano" was tasked with the invasion of Sarawak, together with "Suzuya", covering landings of Japanese troops at Miri. From her base at Cam Ranh Bay, she sortied with "Suzuya" to cover landings of troops at Anambas, Endau, Palembang and Banka Island, Sabang on Sumatra and Java in the Netherlands East Indies from the end of December 1941 to the middle of March. "Kumano" also participated in the seizure of the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean on 20 March 1942.