How does the Kuroshio Current move through the North Pacific Ocean?

The Kuroshio is a powerful surface current in the Pacific Ocean that acts as a northeasterly continuation of the Pacific North Equatorial Current. It flows between Luzon and the east coast of Japan, passing Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands.1

Near southern Kyushu, a branch known as the Tsushima Current moves west and then northeast into the Sea of Japan. Around latitude 35° N, the main body of the Kuroshio turns east to meet the southward-flowing Oya Current. This section, called the Kuroshio Extension, eventually transitions into the North Pacific Current.12

While much of the current's force dissipates west of the Hawaiian Islands as a southward-flowing eddy, the remainder continues east to split off the coast of Canada, forming the Alaska and California currents. Similar to the Gulf Stream, the Kuroshio significantly warms the coastal regions of Japan.12