{{short description|Futami-class oceanographic research ship of JMSDF}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{More citations needed|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox ship | infobox_caption = |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = JMSDF AGS 5104 Wakasa 20121223-01.JPG | image_caption = ''Wakasa'' and {{JS|Nichinan||2}} on 23 December 2012 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | country = Japan | flag = {{Shipboxflag|Japan|naval}} | name = *''Wakasa'' *(わかさ) | namesake = Wakasa | laid_down = 21 August 1984 | commissioned = 25 February 1986 | launched = 21 May 1985 | identification = Pennant number: AGS-5104 | builder = *Hitachi, Maizuru | decommissioned = 19 March 2026 | status = Decommissioned | reclassified = | ordered = 1976 | homeport = Yokosuka }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = ''Futami'' class oceanographic research ship | displacement = *{{convert|2050|t|LT|lk=out|abbr=on}} standard *{{convert|3200|t|LT|abbr=on}} full load | length = {{convert|97.0|m|ftin|lk=on|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|15|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | depth = {{convert|7.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | draft = {{convert|4.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | propulsion = *2 × Fuji 8L27.5XF diesel electric engines *2 × shafts | speed = {{convert|16|kn|abbr=on|lk=in}} | range = | endurance = | test_depth = | complement = 95 | sensors = *OPS-18 surface-search radar | EW = NOLR-6 | armament = | notes = }} }} '''JS ''Wakasa'' (AGS-5104)''' was 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 {{JS|Muroto|1979|2}}.{{Relevance inline|date=October 2025}}

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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-10-22|title=朝雲ニュース|url=http://www.asagumo-news.com/news/200910/091015/09101504.htm|access-date=2021-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022171636/http://www.asagumo-news.com/news/200910/091015/09101504.htm|archive-date=22 October 2009}}</ref>

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.

When {{JS|Akashi}} was commissioned in March 2026 to replace ''Wakasa'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ships-net.co.jp/%E2%96%A0%E4%BB%A4%E5%92%8C%EF%BC%94%E5%B9%B4%E5%BA%A6%E9%98%B2%E8%A1%9B%E4%BA%88%E7%AE%97%E3%81%AE%E6%94%BF%E5%BA%9C%E6%A1%88%E6%B1%BA%E5%AE%9A/ |title=令和４年度防衛予算の政府案決定 |language=ja |date=24 January 2022 |trans-title=Government Decision on FY2022 Defense Budget |work=Ships of The World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529054737/https://www.ships-net.co.jp/%E2%96%A0%E4%BB%A4%E5%92%8C%EF%BC%94%E5%B9%B4%E5%BA%A6%E9%98%B2%E8%A1%9B%E4%BA%88%E7%AE%97%E3%81%AE%E6%94%BF%E5%BA%9C%E6%A1%88%E6%B1%BA%E5%AE%9A/ |archive-date=29 May 2022 |access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://trafficnews.jp/post/551745 |title=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？ |date=29 May 2025 |language=ja |trans-title=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? |work=Traffic News |access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref> the latter was decommissioned on 19 March.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 March 2026 |title=海上自衛隊横須賀基地・観測艦「わかさ」退役 功績たたえ、自衛隊旗返納式 |url=https://www.kanaloco.jp/news/social/article-1257556.html |language=ja |trans-title=Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Yokosuka Base research vessel "Wakasa" decommissioned; Self-Defense Force flag return ceremony held to honor its achievements. |work=Kanagawa Shimbun |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery mode="nolines"> File:JMSDF AGS 5104 Wakasa.JPG|JS ''Wakasa'' on 17 June 2007 File:JMSDF AGS5104 Wakasa 20090208.JPG|JS ''Wakasa'' on 8 February 2009 File:JS Wakasa AGS-5104 DSCN2549 20111026.JPG|JS ''Wakasa'' on 26 October 2011 File:JMSDF AGS 5104 Wakasa 20121223-03.JPG|JS ''Wakasa'' and JS Nichinan on 23 December 2012 File:JMSDF AGS 5104 Wakasa 20121223-02.JPG </gallery>

== References == <references />

== 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)

{{Futami-class oceanographic research ship}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Wakasa}}

Category:1985 ships Category:Futami-class oceanographic research ships Category:Ships built by Hitachi Zosen Corporation