JS Wakasa

JS Wakasa and JS Nichinan on 23 December 2012
History
Japan
Name	Wakasa (わかさ)
Namesake	Wakasa
Ordered	1976
Builder	Hitachi, Maizuru
Laid down	21 August 1984
Launched	21 May 1985
Commissioned	25 February 1986
Homeport	Yokosuka
Identification	Pennant number: AGS-5104
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class & type	Futami class oceanographic research ship
Displacement	2,050 t (2,020 long tons) standard 3,200 t (3,100 long tons) full load
Length	97.0  m (318  ft 3  in)
Beam	15 m (49 ft 3 in)
Draft	4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
Depth	7.6 m (24 ft 11 in)
Propulsion	2 × Fuji 8L27.5XF diesel electric engines 2 × shafts
Speed	16  kn (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement	95
Sensors & processing systems	OPS-18 surface-search radar
Electronic warfare & decoys	NOLR-6

JS Wakasa (AGS-5104) is a Futami-class oceanographic research ship for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Construction and career

Wakasa was laid down on 21 August 1984 and launched on 21 May 1985 by Hitachi Zosen Corporation Maizuru Shipyard. She was commissioned on 25 February 1986 and was incorporated into the Marine Service Corps and deployed in Yokosuka.

The fishing boat Kiyotoku Maru (7.3t), whose hull was cut off after colliding with JS Atago on 18 February 2008, was towed by Muroto.^{[ relevant? ]}

On 18 September 2009, Naoko Matsuo, 3rd class Kaisa (at that time), was appointed as Wakasa's captain, becoming the first female captain of the Maritime Self-Defense Force. ^[1]

In response to the Great East Japan Earthquake caused by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake, Wakasa departs from Yokosuka for disaster relief. At 2:42 pm on March 21, she shipped relief supplies to the Ishinomaki City Oshika General Branch. She returned to Yokosuka on 28 March.

On 1 December 2015, the Oceanographic Command Group was reorganized into the Oceanographic Command and Anti-submarine Support Group. Wakasa was incorporated into the 1st Oceanographic Observatory, which was newly formed under the same group.

Wakasa is planned to be decommissioned and replaced by JS Akashi once the latter is commissioned in March 2026. ^{[2] [3]}

Gallery

• 
  JS Wakasa on 17 June 2007
• 
  JS Wakasa on 8 February 2009
• 
  JS Wakasa on 26 October 2011
• 
  JS Wakasa and JS Nichinan on 23 December 2012
• 

References

1. "朝雲ニュース". 22 October 2009. Archived from the original on 22 October 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
2. "令和４年度防衛予算の政府案決定" [Government Decision on FY2022 Defense Budget]. Ships of The World (in Japanese). 24 January 2022. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
3. "16年ぶり！ 新たな自衛艦「あかし」進水 ミサイルも大砲もないけど超重要な存在 どこに配備？" [First in 16 years! New Self-Defense Force ship "Akashi" launched. It has no missiles or cannons, but it's an extremely important ship. Where will it be deployed?]. Traffic News (in Japanese). 29 May 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.

Further reading

• Takao Ishibashi "All Maritime Self-Defense Force Ships 1952-2002" (Namiki Shobo, 2002).
• "World Ships Special Edition 66th Collection Maritime Self-Defense Force All Ship History" (Gaijinsha, 2004)