This is a list of combatant ship classes of the

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force , abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) ...

DDH : Destroyer Helicopter

* (1973–2011) * (1980–2017) * (2006-present) * (2015-present)

DDG : Guided Missile Destroyer

* (DDG-163) (1965–1995) * (1976–2010) * (1986-present) * (1993-present) * (2007-present) * (2020-present)

DD : Destroyer

* - former USN destroyers supplied under Mutual Defense Assistance (1954-1970) ** , formerly ** , formerly * - ex-USN (1959-1974) ** , formerly ** , formerly * (1956-1985) * Akizuki-class destroyer (1959), ''Akizuki'' class (1960-1993) * (1982-2021) * (1986–present) * Murasame-class destroyer (1994), ''Murasame'' class (1996-present) * (2003–present) * Akizuki-class destroyer (2010), ''Akizuki'' class (2012-present) * (2018-present)

DDA : All Purpose Destroyer

* Murasame-class destroyer (1958), ''Murasame'' class (1958–1989) * (1967–2003)

DDK : Anti Submarine Destroyer

* (1958–1990) * (1966–2005) * (1967–2000)

DE : Destroyer Escort

* (1955-1975) ** , formerly ** , formerly * (1956-1976) * (1956-1977) * (1956-1971), former Imperial Japanese Navy ship ''Nashi'' * (1961-1993) * (1971-2003) * (1981-2007) * (1983-2010) * (1989-present)

FFM : Frigate Multi-Purpose/Mine

* (2022-present)

PF : Patrol Frigate

* () (1951-1976)

PG : Guided Missile Patrol Boat

* () (1993-2010) * (2002-present)

SS : Submarine

* (1955-1966), formerly * (1960-1976) * (1962-1979) * (1963-1980) * (1965-1981) * (1966-1986) * (1971-1996) * (1980-2008) * (1990-2017) * (1998-present) * (2009-present) * (2022-present)

LST : Tank Landing Ship

* (1972-2005) * (1975-2002) * (1998-present)

LSU : Landing Ship Utility

LCU : Landing Craft Utility

* (1988-present)

LSSL : Patrol Boats

* Yuri-class patrol boat, ''Yuri'' class