The Shikishima class was once the world's largest coast guard vessel until it was surpassed by the Chinese Zhaotou-class patrol cutter in 2015.

[5] For this operation, the JMSA developed Shikishima under the FY 1989 program as an escort ship with a high endurance and enhanced surveillance capability.

[4][6] Although the transportation of plutonium was not carried out thereafter, Shikishima has been valuable as a large offshore platform that can be used for various security matters and long-distance rescue.

[7] Like preceding PLHs, they have a long forecastle, but its internal structure is strengthened that the level of vulnerability resistance is comparable to warship standard.

[10] This system adopts the same rotary cannon as the conventional JM61-M, but it is remotely controlled with an optical director as opposed to JM61-M being manually trained and elevated.

[11] At present, she is frequently sent on long cruises to Southeast Asia to foster international cooperation against piracy in the Strait of Malacca.