The Matsu-class destroyers (松型駆逐艦 Matsu-gata kuchikukan) were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), who referred to them as Type-D Destroyer (丁型駆逐艦 Tei-gata kuchikukan).
The Matsu-class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time. These ships were lighter and smaller than previous Japanese destroyers, with different armament such as enhanced anti-aircraft guns and anti-submarine weapons, and radar. Since surface warfare was believed to be less likely at this stage of the war, armament such as torpedo tubes that would be useful against surface ships was reduced.
As in other navies during the war, the IJN substantially simplified the design to speed up construction, and used Ōtori-class machinery, because high speed was unnecessary for convoy escort operations. However, mass production was not achieved.
The Matsu-class design was subsequently further simplified, resulting in the Tachibana-class destroyer (橘型駆逐艦 Tachibakna-gata kuchikukan) or Modified Type-D Destroyer (改丁型駆逐艦 Kai Tei-gata kuchikukan). The Tachibana-class destroyers adopted the first modular design in a Japanese destroyer. Matsu-class destroyers whose construction was started late in the program were completed as Tachibana-class vessels.
The IJN converted twelve destroyers to Kaiten mother ships to prepare for the Japanese mainland decisive battle.
After the formation of the Republic of Japan Navy, the last five members of the class were completed as Tochi-class destroyers escorts.
Unit Run[]
Matsu-suclass[]
- IJN Matsu
- IJN Take
- IJN Ume
- IJN Momo
- IJN Kuwa
- IJN Kiri
- IJN Sugi - surrendered to ROC, renamed ROCS Huiyang
- IJN Maki
- IJN Momi
- IJN Kashi
- IJN Yaezakura
- IJN Kaya
- IJN Nara
- IJN Yadake
- IJN Kuzu
- IJN Madake
- IJN Sakura
- IJN Yanagi
- IJN Tsubaki
- IJN Kaki
- IJN Kaba
- IJN Hayaume
- IJN Hinoki
- IJN Katsura
- IJN Tobiume
- IJN Kaede - surrendered to ROC, renamed ROCS Hengyang
- IJN Fuji
- IJN Wakazakura
- IJN Keyaki
- IJN Yamazakura
- IJN Ashi
Tachibana-subclass[]
- IJN Tachibana
- IJN Shinodake
- IJN Tsuta - surrendered to ROC, renamed ROCS Huayang
- IJN Aoi
- IJN Shiraume
- IJN Hagi
- IJN Kiku
- IJN Kashiwa
- IJN Sumire
- IJN Kusunoki
- IJN Hatsuzakura
- IJN Kigiku
- IJN Hatsugiku
- IJN Akane
- IJN Shiragiku
- IJN Chigusa
- IJN Wakakusa
- IJN Natsugusa
- IJN Akikusa
- IJN Nire
- IJN Nashi - rebuilt postwar as destroyer escort RJS Wakaba (DE-200)
- IJN Shii
- IJN Enoki
- IJN Azusa
- IJN Odake
- IJN Hatsuume - surrendered to ROC, renamed ROCS Hsinyang
- IJN Tochi - completed postwar as Tochi-class escort
- IJN Hishi - completed postwar as Tochi-class destroyer escort
- IJN Susuki - completed postwar as Tochi-class destroyer escort
- IJN Nogiku - completed postwar as Tochi-class destroyer escort
- IJN Sakaki - completed postwar as Tochi-class destroyer escort