Updated Japanese Oyashio-Soryu-Taigei Table With Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Japan uses a continuous build (1 new submarine per year) system. New classes (Oyashio, Soryu and Taigei) are created every 10 years or so. Production is shared between Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). There are gradual improvements (often in power and sensor systems) within classes and between classes.

Also see SubMatt's Updated History & Photos of Japanese Submarines After WWII of January 17, 2015 at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2015/01/history-of-japanese-submarine-after-wwii.html .
It contains a vast amount of Japanese originated information on Japanese submarines. From the end of WWII (September 2, 1945) to June 30, 1960 Japan had no operational submarines.  From December 1957 (First Oyashio class laid down) Japan restarted submarine production based on US experience (eg US Gato class) and based on long institutional experience building advanced submarines for the former WWII Imperial Japanese Navy.