The Asagiri class is equipped for combat and interception missions, and is primarily armed with anti-ship weapons.

On 4 February 1997, after receiving information from the Yokohama Maritime Security Department of a ship that was distressed at sea about 60 kilometres (37 mi) southeast of Inuho Sai, Umigiri with the escort vessels JS Amagiri, JS Murasame, JS Chitose, 21st Fleet Air Group (7 HSS-2B helicopters, 1 SH-60J helicopter), 4th Fleet Air Group P-3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft, 1 UH-60J helicopter) responded.

On 26 January 2002, two people were mildly ill due to gas poisoning caused by an arson attack in an officer's bedroom.

On 17 March 2014, as the 18th dispatched anti-piracy action surface corps, sailed from Kure base to the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia with the escort ship JS Inazuma, Umagiri engaged in missions until August of the same year.

She came in contact with a tanker with an unknown ship registration labeled Myeongryu 1 and confirmed that she was performing what appears to be "ship-to-ship", which is prohibited by a UN Security Council resolution.

SAM JONG 2 is a vessel designated by the United Nations Security Council North Korea Sanctions Committee as a target of asset freeze and port entry ban in March 2018.