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8th Division (Japan)

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Country
  
Japan

Size
  
Division

Type
  
Infantry

Part of
  
Western Army

8th Division (Japan)

Active
  
18 January 1962 – present

Branch
  
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

The 8th Division (第8師団) is one of nine active divisions of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The division is subordinated to the Western Army and is headquartered in Kumamoto. Its responsibility is the defense of the Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Miyazaki prefectures.

The division was raised on 18 January 1962.

Organization

  • 8th Division, in Kumamoto
  • 8th Division HQ, in Kumamoto
  • 8th Tank Battalion, in Kusu, with three squadrons of Type 74 and one squadron of Type 10 tanks
  • 10th Tank Battalion, in Kengun, operating Type 61 tanks until they were dismissed in 2000
  • 12th Infantry Regiment note 1, in Kirishima
  • 42nd Infantry Regiment, in Kumamoto
  • 43rd Infantry Regiment, in Miyakonojō
  • 8th Artillery Regiment, in Kumamoto
  • 1st Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  • 2nd Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  • 3rd Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  • 4th Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  • 5th Artillery Battalion, with four batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  • 8th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, in Kumamoto, with Type 81 and Type 93 Surface-to-air missile systems
  • 8th Combat Engineer Battalion, in Satsumasendai
  • 8th Signal Battalion, in Kumamoto
  • 8th Reconnaissance Company, in Kumamoto, with Type 87 armored reconnaissance vehicle
  • 8th Aviation Squadron, in Mashiki, flying UH-1J and OH-6D helicopters
  • 8th NBC Protection Company, in Kumamoto
  • 8th Logistic Support Regiment, in Kumamoto
  • 1st Maintenance Battalion
  • 2nd Maintenance Battalion
  • Supply Company
  • Medical Company
  • Transport Company

    • note 1: Infantry Regiments have only battalion strength.

    References

    8th Division (Japan) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA