Based on reports from Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), the Japanese government is reportedly analyzing the possibility of transferring some of its Asagiri-class destroyers, which are approaching retirement from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). According to a military source cited on social media, the Philippine Navy is among the potential recipients of these vessels, with interest particularly in the newer and more modernized ships. The information, which has not yet been confirmed by either Tokyo or Manila, should be taken cautiously, although it aligns with Japan’s increasingly proactive policy of strengthening military and defense cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, seen as a way to counter China’s growing expansion and influence in the region.
The Asagiri class was conceived in the 1980s as part of the “Eight Ships / Eight Helicopters” plan, which aimed to structure balanced forces capable of operating in open seas and providing air defense, anti-surface, and anti-submarine capabilities to Task Groups in the Pacific. Eight ships were built between 1988 and 1991, each with a displacement of 4,000 tons, and equipped with 76mm naval guns, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missile launchers, torpedo tubes, and a hangar to operate an SH-60J/K Seahawk helicopter.
For nearly three decades, they formed the backbone of the JMSDF escort fleet, although their operational role has declined with the arrival of newer generations of destroyers and frigates. Some, such as JS Asagiri (DD-151) and JS Yamagiri (DD-152), have been repurposed as “training ships,” a common Japanese practice to extend the service life of platforms that, although technologically outdated, still retain useful capability for support and training new personnel.
The gradual replacement of the Asagiri-class is primarily taking place with the introduction of the stealthy Mogami-class frigates, which represent a significant technological leap. These ships, with smaller displacement but high versatility, feature next-generation vertical launch systems, advanced radar, and automation that allows reduced crews. The transition to the Mogami class reflects Japan’s strategy to optimize costs and maximize operational efficiency, while older platforms such as the Asagiri become available for potential transfers to partner countries.
However, this would not be the first time Japan has considered transferring retired vessels to regional partners. In July of this year, reports emerged about plans to transfer up to six Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines, a clear signal of Tokyo’s intent to strengthen ties with Manila and other Southeast Asian navies. For the Japanese government, such agreements sustain its regional security policy through so-called naval diplomacy, providing assets that, while no longer cutting-edge, represent a significant upgrade for forces with limited naval capabilities.
Finally, it is worth recalling that Philippine interest in the Asagiri class is not new. This past February, the destroyer JS Hamagiri (DD-155) visited the Philippines alongside the JS Ariake (DD-109) of the Murasame class as part of a scheduled stopover. These exchanges highlight the growing closeness between both navies and Japan’s willingness to project its presence in Southeast Asia, where strategic competition with China and the U.S.’s need to bolster its allies are increasingly pressing.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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