This class was the first JMSDF surface combatant adopted shelter-deck design.

[4] In the earlier batch, the main anti-submarine warfare (ASW) armament was a Mk.108 Weapon Alpha.

The JMSDF desired this American brand-new ASW rocket launcher earnestly, but then, it became clear that it was not as good as it was supposed to be.

So in the latter batch, it was changed with a M/50, Swedish 375 mm quadruple ASW rocket launcher.

Later, the Weapon Alpha of the earlier batch was also replaced by a Type 71, Japanese version of the M/50.