[2][4] The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) began construction of the Aegis-equipped Kongō class in FY1988 as the core ship for air defense of its fleet.

[4] In the 2000s, the steam-powered Tachikaze-class destroyers were nearing the end of their life, and their Tartar Weapon Systems were becoming obsolete.

[4] The design is fundamentally an improved and scaled-up version of the Kongō-class destroyers with a 4-meter extension of the hull.

Just as the Kongō class, the superstructure is larger than aboard the American counterparts, Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA.

[2] Additionally, they are equipped with HOS-302, one of the Japanese variant of the Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, as anti-submarine weapons.