The Asashio-class was a group of 10 destroyers that were built for the Imperial Japanese Navy between 1937 and 1939. The Asashio’s were designed as an improvement over the preceding Shiratsuyu-class destroyers. The Japanese government allows the London Naval Treaty to expire without ratification whose limitations disallowed improvements to the Shiratsuyu class without exceeding limits. No longer adhering to limitations, the displacement and hull length of the Asashio class were increased to improve the speed and operational range.