[1] Since fiscal year 1977, the JMSDF started construction of general-purpose destroyers (汎用護衛艦, Hanyou-goei-kan) under the eight ships / eight helicopters concept.

[2] In the original plan, construction was supposed to shift to destroyer escorts, for local District Forces, afterwards.

[1] Except for Kirisame, all ships of the class are named after Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers in World War II.

There is, however, no angled tripod mainmast like the one on the American Arleigh Burke-class destroyer because of the heavy weather of the Sea of Japan in winter.

The aft was designed like a "mini-Oranda-zaka" as with the Kongō class to avoid interference between helicopters and mooring devices.