Their superstructure has traditional vertical surfaces, but their hulls are angled to reduce their radar cross section.

The Short Range Air Defense system comprises the OPS-14 air-search radar, the OPS-28 surface search and target acquisition radar, one Otobreda 76 mm rapid-firing gun, controlled by the FCS-2 fire-control system, and a Phalanx CIWS.

Phalanx CIWS has given the ships an improved, self-defence capability against anti-ship missiles.

The ASW system comprises an OQS-8 hull-sonar (Japanese equivalent of the American DE-1167), ASROC anti-submarine rocket from the Type 74 octuple launcher (Japanese license-built version of the American Mark 16 GMLS), and lightweight ASW torpedoes from two HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes.

The JMSDF intended to build eleven ships of this class, but, finally, only six were built because Hatsuyuki-class destroyers started deploying in distinct forces.