The Type F submarines were designed by the Italian firm Fiat-Laurenti and built under license by Kawasaki at Kobe, Japan.

[1] When the Japanese adopted a three-tiered classification system of its submarines as first-class (I), second-class or medium (Ro), and third-class (Ha) on 1 November 1924,[2] the Type F submarines were the earliest to receive the second-class classification,[1] as reflected in their low numbers in the Ro series.

[1] In fact they were the earliest Japanese submarine classified as anything higher than third-class.

[1] Because of their disappointing performance, they did not serve as the basis for any later Japanese submarine classes.

[1] For surface running, the submarines were powered by two 1,400-brake-horsepower (1,044 kW) Fiat diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft.

[1] When submerged each propeller was driven by a Savigliano 600-horsepower (447 kW) electric motor.