JS Murasame was authorized under the Medium-term Defense Buildup Plan of 1991, and was built by IHI Marine United shipyards in Tokyo.

[2] Destroyers built under the First Defense Build-up Plan, including the former Murasame class, adopted a unique long forecastle style called "Oranda-zaka".

On 13 October 2002 she also served as the lead ship in the international naval review celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

On 24 January 2008, together with the fleet oiler Oume, Murasame was sent to the Indian Ocean to provide refueling and logistics support for Allied forces in Operation Enduring Freedom.

On 21 January 2012 Murasame was dispatched to Aden, Yemen together with her sister ship Harusame, to resume anti-piracy escort operations off the coast of Somalia.