Akizuki

The Akizuki class of destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is intended to escort the Hyūga-class and Izumo-class helicopter-carrier destroyers, and safeguard the other Aegis-capable warships such as the Kongō class and Atago class. The destroyer provides defense against surface, airborne and undersea threats. The class was initially designated as "19DD", referring to a date on the Japanese calendar, specifically the 19th fiscal year of the Heisei period (2007).