The Abukuma class destroyer escort (or frigate) is the general-purpose destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It is the successor of the earlier Yubari-class. This class was planned to replace the earlier Isuzu-class and possess both ASW capability as the successor of the Chikugo-class and ASuW capability as the successor of the Yubari-class, but there are many points enhanced as followes: