Asahi-class destroyer escort

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Asahi-class destroyer escort

The Asahi-class consisted of two destroyer escorts lent by the United States to Japan after World War II. They were built to the U.S. Cannon-class design and served in Japan’s postwar fleet from 1955 to 1975.

Origin and service
- In 1954–55, two Cannon-class destroyer escorts were lent to Japan under a US–Japan ship loan agreement.
- These ships joined Japan’s Coastal Safety Force, which later became the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
- The Asahi-class ships were commissioned for JMSDF service in 1955 and remained in use until 1975.

Design and specifications
- Type: destroyer escort
- Displacement: 1,240 tons standard, 1,620 tons full load
- Length: 93.3 meters; Beam: 11 meters; Draft: 3.5 meters
- Propulsion: four GM diesel engines with electric drive, 6,000 shp, two screws
- Speed: 21 knots
- Range: 10,800 nautical miles at 12 knots
- Crew: about 15 officers and 201 enlisted

Armament
- Three 3-inch (76 mm) guns in single mounts
- Two 40 mm anti-aircraft guns
- Eight 20 mm anti-aircraft guns
- Three 21-inch torpedo tubes (one triple launcher)
- Eight depth-charge projectors
- One Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar
- Two depth-charge tracks

Legacy
- The Asahi-class helped establish Japan’s early escort fleet as part of the postwar defense forces.