writes:Japanese warships that went to the Mediterranean were painted in standard Japanese mid-blue-grey, with canvas overpainted in grey. Waterlines were black. They were very neat and tidy vessels that created a good impression on all that served with them.
Australian destroyers of the River class worked with the Japanese, and seemed to hold them in much higher opinion than French or Italian vessels. The Japanese units managed to remain smart-looking, yet spent much more time at sea than other navies.
Dark reddish-brown cortesine was common, held down by strips of polished brass.
Generally, the Japanese tended to follow British practice in the presentation of their ships, except for the bluer shade of grey.