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Japanese destroyers in WWII earned a reputation for being deadly anti-ship platforms, due to their heavy torpedo armament, especially the Type 93 Long Lance, arguably the best torpedo of the war. Another, little known capability, was the detroyers carriage of reload torpedoes (not just 1 or 2, but enough to reload all of their tubes) and the provision of rapid reloading gear. A IJN destroyer could fire all of its torpedoes in one salvo and have its tubes reloaded within six minutes. This capability was a deadly surprise to the USN during the battles off Guadacanal.

Momi-class. In service from 1919. Displacing 770 tons. The first IJN destroyers built that did not show the influence of British design. 25 were built. One was lost to a pre-collision, 3 were scrapped, 9 were reclassied and rearmed as patrol boats, 5 became training ships and 7 remained as destroyers. Armed with three single mount 4.7-inch rifles and two twin 21-inch torpedeo tubes. Three were sunk, two were removed in 1939 and one was scrapped in 1947.

Minekaze-class. A class of 13 that entered service in the 1920s. Displaced 1,215 tons and were armed with four single mount 4.7-inch rifles and three twin 21-inch torpedo tubes. 8 were sunk during the war, 3 were scrapped in 1947/48, one was scuttled in 1947 and one was turned over to China in 1947.

Wakatake-class. A class of 6 that entered service in the 1920s. Displaced 820 tons and armed with three single 4.7-inch and two twin 21-inch torpedo mounts. One sank in 1932 and five were sunk during the war.

Kamikaze-class. Entering service in 1922, this class of 9 displaced 1,270 tons. Armed with four single mount 4.7-inchers and three twin 21-inch torpedo tubes. Seven were sunk and two were scrapped in 1947.

Mutsuki-class. A class of 12 that entered service in 1926. Displacing 1,313 tons and armed with four single 4.7in rifles and two triple 24-inch torpedo tubes. All twelve were sunk during the war.

Fubuki-class. Entered service in 1930 with 20 ships.. The first modern IJN destroyers, they displaced 2,090 tons and were armed with three twin 5-inch/50 rifles and three triple 24-inch torpedo tubes. During the war, they lost one 5-inch mount, replaced by additional AA guns. Nineteen were sunk during the war and one was scrapped in 1947.

Akatsuki-class. A class of 4 that service in 1932. Displacing 2,090 tons and armed with three twin 5-inch/50 and three triple 24-inch torpedo mounts. Later lost one 5-inch mount in favor of additional AA guns. Three were sunk and one went to Russia in 1947.

Hatsuharu-class. A class of 6, entering service in 1934. Displaced 1,715 tons and armed with two twin and one single 5-inch/50 and two triple 24-inch torpedo mounts. The single gun mount was replaced with AA guns. All were lost during the war.

Shiratsuyu-class. Entered service in 1935 as a class of 10. Displaced 1,580 tons and armed with two twin and one single 5-inch/50 and two quadruple 24-inch mounts. Like the Hatsuharu, the single gun mount was replaced by AA guns. All were lost during the war.

Asahio-class. A class of 10 that entered service in 1937. Displaced 1,961 tons and armed with three twin 5-inch/50s and two quadrule 24-inch torpedo mounts. Like other destroyers, one gun mount was replaced with AA guns. All were lost during the war.

Kagero-class. A class of 18 that entered service in 1939. Considered to be the ultimate in IJN destroyer design, all subsequent classes differed only in minor details. Displaced 2,033 tons and armed with three twin 5-inch/50s and two quadruple torpedo mounts. Later had one gun mount replaced with extra AA guns. Seventeen were lost during the war and one went to CHina in 1947.

Yugumo-class. A class of 20 that entered service in 1941. Displaced 2,077 tons and armed with three twin 5-inch/50s and two quadruple torpedo mounts. Later had one gun mount replaced with extra AA guns. All were lost during the war.

Akitsuki-class. A class of 12 that entered service in 1941. Designed to meet the need for AA screening vessles for the carriers. Displaced 2,701 tons and armed with four twin 3.9-inch/70 rifles and one quadruple 24-inch torpedo mount. Six were sunk, one went to Russia, another to China and four were scrapped in 1947/48.

Shimakaze. A single ship that entered service in 1942. Displaced 2,567 tons and armed with three twin 5-inch/50s and two quadruple torpedo mounts. Later had one gun mount replaced with extra AA guns. SUnk in 1944.

Matsu-class. A class of 41 that entered service in 1944. Displaced 1,262 tons and armed with one twin and one single 5-inch mount and one quadruple 24-inch torpedo mount. Designed as ASW ships. Nine were sunk, three to China, four to Russia and the remainder scrapped in 1947.

Japanese destroyers were initially designed for the anti-ship role. As Allied airpower became more threatening, they were heavily modified for AA use. IJN DDs were considered to be poor ASW platforms.