Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships.

From 1940, she was assigned to patrol and cover landings of Japanese forces in south China, and subsequently participated in the Invasion of French Indochina.

On 2 March, at the Battle of the Java Sea, Ushio assisted in attacking the submarine USS Perch, with depth charges and taking on 59 survivors.

On 4–5 June, Ushio participated in the Battle of Midway as was part of the diversionary Aleutian Invasion force and was subsequently based at Ōminato Guard District for patrols of northern waters until mid-July.

Through the end of 1943, Ushio served as an escort for Unyō, Ryūhō, Zuihō,　and Taiyō in various missions between the Japanese home islands, Truk, the Netherlands East Indies and the Philippines.

From April through August, she was based at Ōminato Guard District for patrols of northern waters, and escort of ships between Hokkaidō and Yokosuka or Kure.