Key Facts
• On August 24, 2025, the destroyer ‘Tone’ was opened to the public in Kochi.
• ‘Tone’ is 109 meters long, weighs 2,000 tons, and was commissioned in 1993.
• It is the sixth ship of the Abukuma-class destroyers, based in Kure, Hiroshima.
• Key equipment includes the ASROC launcher (anti-submarine torpedo) and a main gun.
• The ASROC launcher has a range of 9 km and a speed of Mach 1.
• Public attendees included families and children, leveraging summer vacation.
• The event aimed to promote Japan Self-Defense Force activities to younger generations.
• Recruitment challenges persist, with 2023 applicants down 40% compared to 2014.
• Crew member Kiyomasa Uenobe, 24, transitioned from the Ground Self-Defense Force to fulfill a long-held dream.
• Uenobe highlighted the appeal of visiting various ports and competitive salaries.
• The next public event at Kochi New Port will feature a submarine on August 30, 2025.
Summary
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s destroyer ‘Tone’ returned to Kochi after four years, hosting a public event on August 24, 2025. The 109-meter-long, 2,000-ton vessel, equipped with advanced weaponry like the ASROC launcher and main gun, drew significant public interest. The event aimed to showcase the Self-Defense Force’s activities and address recruitment challenges, as applicant numbers have dropped by 40% since 2014. Crew member Kiyomasa Uenobe shared his journey from the Ground Self-Defense Force to the Maritime Self-Defense Force, emphasizing the appeal of visiting diverse ports and competitive salaries. The next public event at Kochi New Port will feature a submarine on August 30, 2025.
