following the production of the five s, an additional three 5,500-ton class light cruisers authorized under the 8-4 fleet program were ordered by the imperial japanese navy in 1920. due to minor changes in design, primarily due to advances in torpedo technology, these three vessels were initially designated as "modified kuma-class", or "5500-ton class type ii", before being re-designated as a separate class named after the lead vessel, . a second set of three vessels was authorized in late 1920.