JDS Kumano (DE-224) was the tenth ship of the Chikugo-class destroyer escorts of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

[1] Kumano was laid down on 29 May 1974 at Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Osaka and launched on 24 February 1975.

The destroyer escort performed as host ship for the Chilean sailing training ship Esmeralda which arrived in Tokyo on June 26, 1993.

On 12 April 1994, Kumano made exchanges with the French Navy Floréal-class frigate Nivôse which had made a goodwill visit to Yokosuka base.

Kumano joined the 22nd Escort Corps of the Kure District Force on 24 March 1997.