The is one of nine active divisions of the

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ( ja, 陸上自衛隊, Rikujō Jieitai), , also referred to as the Japanese Army, is the land warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Created on July 1, 1954, it is the largest of the three service b ...

. The division is subordinated to the Western Army and is headquartered in

Kumamoto is the capital city of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. , the city has an estimated population of 738,907 and a population density of 1,893 people per km2. The total area is 390.32 km2. had a population of 1,461,000, ...

. Its responsibility is the defense of the

Kagoshima , abbreviated to , is the capital city of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Located at the southwestern tip of the island of Kyushu, Kagoshima is the largest city in the prefecture by some margin. It has been nicknamed the "Naples of the Eastern wor ...

and Miyazaki prefectures. The division was raised on 18 January 1962.

Organization

* 8th Division, in

** 8th Division HQ, in Kumamoto ** 12th Infantry Regiment, in Kirishima, with 1x headquarters, four Type 73

armored personnel carrier An armoured personnel carrier (APC) is a broad type of armoured military vehicle designed to transport personnel and equipment in combat zones. Since World War I, APCs have become a very common piece of military equipment around the world. Ac ...

, and 1x 120mm mortar company ** 42nd Rapid Deployment Regiment, in Kumamoto, with 1x headquarters, three Type 96

, 1x

Type 16 maneuver combat vehicle The is a wheeled armored fighting vehicle of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Overview The ''Type 16'' maneuver combat vehicle (MCV) equips designated combat units. Due to its light weight and small size, it is designed for easy depl ...

, and 1x 120mm F1 mortar company ** 43rd Infantry Regiment, in

Miyakonojō is a city in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on April 1, 1924. As of June 1, 2019, the city has an estimated population of 161,137, with 70,549 households and a population density of 247 per km2. The total area is 653.36 km2 ...

, with 1x headquarters, four Type 73 armored personnel carrier, and 1x 120mm mortar company ** 8th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, in Kumamoto, with Type 81 and Type 93 Surface-to-air missile systems ** 8th Engineer Battalion (Combat), in

Satsumasendai is a city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The modern city of Satsumasendai was established on October 12, 2004, from the merger of the city of Sendai, the towns of Hiwaki, Iriki, Kedōin and Tōgō, and the Koshikijima Islands (whi ...

** 8th Signal Battalion, in Kumamoto ** 8th Reconnaissance Company, in Kumamoto, with Type 87 armored reconnaissance vehicles ** Western Army Ground-to-Ship and Anti-Tank Unit, in Kusu, with 3x

Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System The is an Anti-tank/Landing craft missile used by the JGSDF. It is the first Japanese missile system that uses a complete digitally controlled interface. History Development of the Type 96 system began in 1986 by JGSDF Ground Research and Dev ...

platoons (administrative control during peacetime) ** 8th Aviation Squadron, in Mashiki, flying UH-1J and OH-6D helicopters ** 8th

NBC Protection Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN defence) are protective measures taken in situations in which chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear warfare (including terrorism) hazards may be present. CBRN defence consis ...

Company, in Kumamoto ** Amami Area Security Force, Amami ** 8th Logistic Support Regiment, in Kumamoto *** 1st Maintenance Battalion *** 2nd Maintenance Battalion *** Supply Company *** Medical Company *** Transport Company

References

External links

Homepage 8th Division
''(Japanese)'' {{JGSDF Units Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Division Military units and formations established in 1962