The Chikuma-class protected cruisers were ordered as part of the 1907 Naval Expansion Program, based on lessons learned during the Russo-Japanese War.

Along with the Kongō-class battlecruisers, the Chikuma class was the first phase of a project to build a high speed navy based on the latest naval technologies.

The class was armed with eight Type 41 6-inch 45 caliber naval gun, one each fore and aft, and three mounted in sponsons on each side of the hull.

[3] After 1919, two 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval gun were added for anti-aircraft defense abeam of the fourth funnel, replacing two of the 12-pounders in Hirado and three of the 12-pounders in Yahagi and Chikuma.

[2]: 237 Launched on 1 April 1911 and completed on 17 May 1912 by the Sasebo Naval Arsenal, Chikuma participated in various operations in World War I in the central and southern Pacific Ocean.