Asahi-class (25DD)

The Asahi class of destroyers is operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Initially designated "25DD" to represent procurement in the 25th fiscal year of the Heisei period (2013), the destroyers were ordered to counter a reduction in the number of active Hatsuyuki-class destroyers. The design is based on the hull of the preceding Akizuki-class destroyers to lower acquisition costs and facilitate future growth. The lead ship, JS Asahi, is the third Japanese vessel to bear the name, following an Imperial Japanese battleship and an Asahi-class destroyer escort leased from the United States Navy in 1955. The second vessel, JS Shiranui, is named after earlier Murakumo-class and Kagerō-class destroyers.

Unlike the Akizuki class, which focuses on anti-aircraft warfare, the Asahi class specializes in anti-submarine warfare. The destroyers are propelled by a combined gas turbine electric and gas turbine (COGLAG) system driving two shafts with two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, using electric propulsion for low-speed cruising. The sensor configuration includes the OYQ-13 ACDS, the OPY-1 anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) system, and the FCS-3A AAW system. The FCS-3A radar uses gallium nitride (GaN) active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, which provides higher power density, efficiency, thermal spreading, and frequency coverage compared to standard gallium arsenide (GaA) systems. For anti-submarine operations, the destroyers utilize the OQQ-24 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) system, the OQR-4 towed sonar array system, and an anti-torpedo system. Other electronics consist of the OPS-48 surface search radar and the NOLQ-3D-2 electronic warfare (EW) system.

Armament for the Asahi class consists of one Mk. 45 Mod 4 127 mm/62 gun, eight Type 90 anti-ship missiles in quad canisters, two 20 mm Phalanx Block 1B CIWS, and two HOS-303 triple 324 mm torpedo tubes. Additionally, the destroyers feature a 32-cell Mk. 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) that accommodates RIM-162 ESSM, RUM-139 VL-ASROC, and Type 07 VL-ASROC. Each vessel operates a single Mitsubishi SH-60K helicopter.

Both ships in the class were built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at the Nagasaki Shipyard. JS Asahi (DD-119), which cost JPY 72.3 billion, was laid down on 4 August 2015, launched on 19 October 2016, and commissioned on 7 March 2018. JS Shiranui (DD-120) was laid down on 20 May 2016, launched on 12 October 2017, and commissioned on 27 February 2019. Both destroyers remain in active service.