Shell moderate in size for genus, 3.49mm SL (mean of 7 specimens), rather thick and solid, conical in shape, somewhat translucent white with thin periostracum. Protoconch dome-shaped, large, ca. 630 µm in width, consisting of 1.5 whorls, with peculiar pockmarked sculpture consisting of densely placed minute pits of rather irregular shape. End of protoconch clearly demarcated from teleoconch. Teleoconch of 3.1 convex whorls, with deeply constricted suture. Spire moderately small, occupying ca. 35% of shell length. Surface slightly glossy, with distinct axial and spiral sculpture. Axial sculpture consisting of straight, rather thin but strong ribs that appear at beginning of first teleoconch whorl and persist to last whorl; reaching from suture to suture on spire whorls but gradually disappearing toward base on last whorl. Spiral cords also rather thin but distinct, as strong as axial ribs, and widely spaced, with numerous minute secondary threads in interstices. Number of spiral cords variable from 2 to 3 on penultimate whorl, 8 to 9 on last whorl; spiral cords on base attenuating in some specimens. Last whorl large in proportion and well inflated. Aperture oval and angled at posterior end. Inner lip moderate in thickness; outer lip slightly prosocline, usually without apertural varix, but sometimes with weak apertural varix behind lip in fully mature specimens. Umbilical chink very narrow and slit-like. Operculum thin, chitinous, paucispiral, oval, with more convex outer ridge. Head-foot unpigmented, with distinctly pigmented eyes. Penis slender, evenly tapering to tip, lacking glandular lobe and projections. Radula , 126 µm in width for 2.2 mm SW. Central teeth of cusp formula 4-6+1+4-6, with narrowly elongate tongue-like central cusp and triangular cutting edge; two to three pairs of well-developed basal denticles; U-shaped basal extension indistinct. Lateral teeth of cusp formula 6-8+1+6-7; broad primary cusp with smaller and rather irregularly shaped cusps on inner side, and sparse and significantly large outer cusps situated at more proximal part. Inner marginal teeth sickle-shaped, with 6-8 rather long and large cusps only on outer edge. Outer marginal teeth more slender than inner marginal teeth, tusk-like, with 4 cusps only on inner side.

Rissoa (Alvania) akibai Yokoyama, 1926 was described based on three speci¬mens (syntypes) collected from the Pliocene Sawane Formation. Examination of the syntypes revealed that they comprise two apparently distinct species; one is conspecific with the species treated here, and the other is probably allied to Alvania maya (Yokoyama, 1926) in protoconch and teleoconch characters. The illustrated syntype belongs to the former, and it is here designated as lectotype in order to avoid taxonomical confusion.
This species is characterized by the relatively large and white shell with distinct clathrate sculpture, and especially by the peculiar pockmarked protoconch sculpture, which can be easily observed under a light microscope.
This species is not very variable, at least among the material examined. The size is generally large relative to the other species here treated, and often exceeds 3.5 mm in SL, although some specimens seem to be mature at a smaller size (3.05 mm SL). The number and strength of spiral cords are slightly variable, although those of the axial ribs are rather consistent.

From Musashi Bank south to off Shimane Pref., and off Primorsky Krai coast in northern Sea of Japan, at depths of 220-635 m. Probably endemic to the Sea of Japan.