The Yamagumo class are vessels of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, usually classified as a destroyer, but due to their relatively light displacement, in other sources as a destroyer escort. This class is the successor of the Akizuki class.

JDS Yūgumo (DD-121)
Class overview
Name	Yamagumo class
Operators	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by	(the earlier batch) Akizuki class (the latter batch) Minegumo-class destroyer
Succeeded by	(the earlier batch) Takatsuki class (the latter batch) Hatsuyuki class
Subclasses	Yamagumo class (Earlier batch) Aokumo class (Latter batch)
Built	1964–1977
In commission	1966–2005
Completed	6
Retired	6
General characteristics
Type	Destroyer
Displacement	Yamagumo class 2,050 long tons (2,083 t) standard Aokumo and Akigumo 2,150 long tons (2,185 t) standard Yūgumo 2,200 long tons (2,235 t) standard
Length	Yamagumo class 114.0 m (374 ft 0 in) overall Aokumo class 115.2 m (377 ft 11 in) overall
Beam	11.8 m (38 ft 9 in)
Draft	Yamagumo class 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in) Aokumo class 4.0 m (13 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	Yamagumo 4 × Mitsui 1228 V3 BU-38V diesels 2 × Mitsui 1628 V3 BU-38V diesels 2 shafts, 26,000 bhp Makigumo and Akigumo 6 × Mitsubishi 12 UEV 30/40 diesels Aokumo class 6 × Mitsubishi 12 UEV 30/40N diesels
Speed	Yūgumo 28 knots (32 mph; 52 km/h) all others 27 knots (31 mph; 50 km/h)
Range	6,000 nmi (11,000 km)
Complement	Yamagumo class 210 Aokumo class 220
Sensors and processing systems	Yamagumo class AN/SQS-23 Mark 56 fire-control system Mark 63 fire-control system Aokumo class OQS-3 (Type 66 passive sonar) VDS AN/SQS-35(J)
Electronic warfare & decoys	OPS-11B, OPS-17 Akigumo and Yūgumo NOLR-6 all others NOLR-1B
Armament	4 × Mk.33 3"/50 caliber guns 1 × ASROC anti-submarine rocket system 1 × Bofors 375 mm (15 in) ASW rocket launcher 2 × HOS-301 triple 324 mm (12.8 in) torpedo tubes

This class was planned to become the new generation workhorse of the fleet of the JMSDF. In support of this objective, it was equipped with some new generation weapon and sensor systems such as the ASROC anti-submarine rocket and the OPS-11 early warning radar (Japanese equivalent of the American AN/SPS-40 radar).

The Minegumo-class destroyer derived from this class as the new DASH equipped version, but after the QH-50D DASH was scrapped, the JMSDF decided on resuming the construction of this class. The latter batch sometimes called as the Aokumo class, and there are some improvements, mainly in their electronics such as the OQS-3 hull-sonar (Japanese variant of the American AN/SQS-23) and the AN/SQS-35 variable depth sonar system.