The two Japanese destroyers came from different classes and divisions and had little direct experience operating together. Murasame, a Shiratsuyu-class ship, was smaller and slower than the Asashio-class Minegumo, which had three twin gun turrets. Japanese night-fighting methods depended on early awareness and an opponent whose course could be predicted. Slow radar installation deprived this pair of the information needed to exploit its torpedoes. Their paper capability meant little once the American force found them first.
Chapter · 52:33-56:25
Japanese night doctrine fails without warning
Murasame and Minegumo had different performance and armament, while Japanese long-range torpedo doctrine depended on detecting the enemy before radar-equipped opponents detected them.