7th Division (Japan)
The 7th Division (第7師団, Dai-Nana Shidan) is one of nine active divisions of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The division is the only armored division of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. It is subordinated to the Northern Army and is headquartered in Chitose, Hokkaidō. Its responsibility is the defense of North Hokkaidō against potential conflicts, mostly from Russia.
| 7th Division | |
|---|---|
 7th Division Distinctive Unit Insignia | |
| Active | 15 August 1962 – present |
| Country |  |
| Branch |  |
| Type | Armored division |
| Part of |  |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Higashi Chitose, Chitose, Hokkaidō |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Gen. Makiya Ōta |
The division was raised on 15 August 1962 as the 7th Mechanized Division. In 1981 it was merged with the 1st Armor Brigade to become the 7th Armored Division. As of 1987 it consisted of a headquarters, headquarters company, 7 regiments (3 armor, 1 motorized infantry, 1 artillery, 1 air defense artillery and 1 logistical support regiment), and 3 battalions (namely Reconnaissance, Combat Engineer, and Signals).
An armor regiment consisted of 5 tank squadrons, each with 15 Type 90 tanks (75 in all). A motorized infantry regiment had 6 motorized infantry companies and 1 mortar company. The artillery regiment contained 4 155-mm self-propelled howitzer battalions (10 guns in each).
In all, the armored division had about 6,500 men, 230 tanks, about 350 Type 89 and Type 73 armored personnel carriers, 40 self-propelled howitzers, 48 mortars (81-mm and larger), 12 106-mm recoilless weapons, 40 35- and 40-mm self-propelled air defense systems, along with other armament and support systems, making it the most well-armed Japanese division.
Organization
- 7th Division, at Camp Higashi Chitose in Chitose
- 7th Division HQ, in Chitose
- 71st Tank Regiment, in Chitose, with four Type 90 Main Battle Tank, and one Type 10 Main Battle Tank squadron
- 72nd Tank Regiment, in Eniwa, with five Type 90 Main Battle Tank squadrons
- 73rd Tank Regiment, in Eniwa, with five Type 90 Main Battle Tank squadrons
- 11th Mechanized Infantry Regiment, in Chitose, with three Type 89 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, three Type 73 Armored Personnel Carrier, and one Type 96 120mm Self-Propelled Mortar Carrier company
- 7th Artillery Regiment (Mechanized), in Chitose
- 1st Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of Type 99 155mm Self-propelled howitzers
- 2nd Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of Type 99 155mm Self-propelled howitzers
- 3rd Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of Type 99 155mm Self-propelled howitzers
- 4th Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of Type 99 155mm Self-propelled howitzers
- 7th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, in Shinhidaka, with two Type 81 Surface-to-air missile systems and four Type 87 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns batteries
- 7th Engineer Battalion (Combat), in Chitose
- 7th Signal Battalion, in Chitose
- 7th Reconnaissance Company, in Chitose, with Type 87 armored reconnaissance vehicles
- 7th Aviation Squadron, at Chitose Airport, flying UH-1J and OH-6D helicopters
- 7th NBC Protection Company, in Chitose
- 7th Logistic Support Regiment, in Chitose
- 1st Maintenance Battalion
- 2nd Maintenance Battalion
- Supply Company
- Medical Company
- Transport Company
- 7th Division Band
External links
- Homepage 7th Division (Japanese)