A fourth generation destroyer and improvement upon the US Navy Arleigh Burke class (Flight I), the Kongo-class destroyers serve in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Escort Flotillas. The Kongo-class employs the highly advanced AEGIS fire control system and is armed with the RIM-66 SM2 Block II surface-to-air missile, RUM-139 vertically launched anti-submarine rocket, the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, two Mark 15 20mm CIWS gun mounts, two torpedo mounts in a triple tube configuration and a OTO 127mm/54" gun. Its Mark 41 vertical launch system can hold 90 missiles. However, in keeping with the defensive mission of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and passive nature of Japanese Self-Defense Forces in general, the Kongo-class lacks the Tomahawk missile and its support suite.

As on other ships employing the AEGIS system, the superstructure is dominated by the SPY-1's phased arrays, which eliminates the need for a traditional rotating antenna. The design of the superstructure also incorporates certain stealth features, designed to reduce radar cross section of the ship. However, as a consequence, the ship is considerably more top-heavy than a typical destroyer and requires a much deeper draft. As such, operations in a littoral (coastal) environment are limited. Overall, the Kongo-class are much larger than traditional destroyers and at 9,485 tons displacement come close to cruisers in size.

Currently, there are four Kongo-class destroyers in commission by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force; JDS Kongo and Chokai, homeported in Sasebo, Kirishima, homeported in Yokosuka, and Myoko, homeported in Maizuru. More are expected to be ordered.

Kongo class destroyers are powered by four Ishikawajima-Harima LM2500 gas turbines.

ja:こんごう型護衛艦