JDS Asakaze (DDG-169)

JDS Asakaze (DDG-169) is the second ship of the Tachikaze-class destroyer built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Development
Tachikaze-class destroyers were designed almost exclusively as anti-aircraft platforms. No helicopter facilities are provided, and the ASW armament is confined to ASROC missiles and Mk 46 torpedoes. In order to save on construction costs the class adopted the propulsion plant and machinery of the Haruna-class destroyers.

Construction and career
She was laid down on the 27 May 1976 in Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki. She was launched on 15 October 1977, and commissioned on 27 March 1979. She was decommissioned on 12 March 2008.

Participated in the Exercise RIMPAC 1982.

From November 2 to December 2, 1982, she participated in the Hawaii dispatch training with the escort vessels JDS Haruna, JDS Shirane and eight P-2Js.

Participated in the Exercise RIMPAC 1984.

From April 25 to July 13, 1985, participated in the US dispatch training with the escort vessels JDS Shirane and JDS Sawakaze.

Participated in the Exercise RIMPAC 1988.

From June 27 to August 28, 1991, participated in the US dispatch training with the escort vessels JDS Kurama and JDS Setogiri.

On March 16, 1995, the 64th Escort Corps was newly formed under the 4th Escort Corps group and was incorporated with JDS Tachikaze.

On March 20, 1998, the homeport was transferred to Sasebo.

On July 1, 2002, based on the Act on Special Measures Against Terrorism, he was dispatched to the Indian Ocean with the escort ship JDS Inazuma and returned to Japan on October 29, 2002.

JDS Asakaze succeeded JDS Tachikaze in the flagship role after her decommissioning in 2008.

In October 2009, dismantling was completed at Imari Port. In March 2010, dismantling was completed.