In 1955, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force received a loan from the United States Navy (USN) for the Gato-class submarine USS Mingo and recommissioned the vessel as the first JDS Kuroshio to begin the development (reconstruction) of the submarine force.

As for the material of the pressure hull, NS46 tempered high-strength steel (yield strength 46 kgf / mm2 / 451MPa), which was limited only to the frame in 35SSK, was fully adopted.

This is based on the 31SS V8V 22 / 30m MAL, with the bore (piston diameter) expanded to increase the output, and has since been followed up to the Yuushio type (50SS).

As an active sonar, the JQS-3 was mounted on the bottom of the ship below the command post in a hanging manner, similar to the 35SSK.

[5] Ōshio was laid down on 29 June 1963 and launched on 30 April 1964 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard.

On 8 April 1967, while moored at Kure, a short circuit occurred in the rear control panel room while charging the storage battery, and a fire broke out from a large discharge.

On 26 January 1970, while Ōshio was surfacing in Hiroshima Bay, she came into contact with a small tanker (186 tonnes) and broke two propeller shafts.