* Armament as during the Battle of Midway (June 1942).

Nineteen Kagerō class destroyers benefitted greatly from the many teething troubles of the previous Asashio class, and as a result, experienced almost none of their own. Virtually identical in appearance to their predecessors, they also mounted the same armament of eight 24 in (610 mm) torpedo tubes in two quadruple centerline mounts carried Type 93 “Long Lance” torpedoes, and six 5 in (127 mm) dual- purpose guns mounted in twin splinter-proof turrets. Although the Kagerōs were heavier and sported a slightly thicker bridge structure, their stability was improved by lowering the fore quadruple torpedo tube mount and moving its reloads forward abaft the bridge.

The ships of the Kagerō class were arguably the best of the early war Japanese destroyers. Only the lack of radar hindered their otherwise superb design. As with most pre-WWII ships, Kagerōs were also deficient in anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weaponry as designed—four .98 in (25 mm) autocannons in two twin mounts and two depth charge throwers respectively.

Nine Kagerō class destroyers (DD-27 Urakaze, DD-28 Isokaze, DD-29 Hamakaze, DD-30 Tanikaze, DD-31 Nowaki, DD-112 Arashi, DD-113 Hagi­kaze, DD-114 Maikaze, DD-115 Akigumo) took part in the Battle of Midway as Destroyer Divisions 4, 10, and 17 of Destroyer Squadron 10, the destroyer screen of First Mobile Force.