Shiretoko-class patrol vessel#Ships in the class

In 1977, Act on Territorial Waters and Contiguous Water Area and the Act on Temporary Measures Concerning Fishery Waters was confirmed by the National Diet of Japan to adapt for the UNCLOS III. As a direct result of these acts, the coverage area of the MSA was dramatically extended, so the update of their equipment became an urgent issue. In consequence of these situations, the MSA had put some series of patrol vessels into commission from late 1970s to early 1980s.{{Sfn|Japan Coast Guard Foundation|1990|pp=180-183}} This class was one of these series, planned to form the main fleet in the high-endurance mission.{{Sfn|Japan Coast Guard Foundation|1990|pp=197-198}}

This class was designed as the enlarged and mass-production variant of the Daiou class, preceding large patrol vessels. Like the Daiou-class, the hull is ice resistant, but the hull structure has been further strengthened by increasing the thickness of the ice belt and the number of ribs.{{Sfn|Japan Coast Guard Foundation|1990|pp=197-198}}

As designed, it was to be equipped with one Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun and one Oerlikon 20 mm cannon;{{Sfn|Japan Coast Guard Foundation|1990|p=225}} latter-batch vessels had their weapon changed to the newer Oerlikon KDC 35 mm gun, and the obsolete 20mm machine gun was dropped. And later, ships of the early-batch had their weapon converted to the JM61-M 20 mm gun.{{Sfn|Nakanomyo|2015}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book|first=Stephen|last=Saunders|year= 2009|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010|publisher=Jane's Information Group|isbn=978-0710628886}}
• {{Cite book|authorlink=:ja:海上保安協会|author=Japan Coast Guard Foundation|year=1990|trans-chapter=|chapter=|trans-title=History of vessels and aircraft of Maritime Safety Agency|title=海上保安庁船艇航空機整備の歩み|publisher=Japan Coast Guard Foundation|id={{NCID|BA33890789}}|language=ja}}
• {{Cite journal|first=Masami|last=Nakanomyo|date=November 2015|title=History of shipboard guns on JCG's patrol vessels|journal=Ships of the World|issue=825|pages=168–173|publisher=Kaijin-sha|id={{NAID|40020597434}}|language=ja}}

• List of Japan Coast Guard vessels and aircraft

{{Commons category|Shiretoko class patrol vessels}}

Category:Patrol vessels of the Japan Coast Guard

Category:Patrol ship classes