The is one of nine active

divisions Division may refer to: Mathematics *Division (mathematics), the inverse of multiplication * Division algorithm, a method for computing the result of mathematical division Military *Division (military), a formation typically consisting of 10,000 t ...

of the

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force The , , 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 branches. New military guidelines, announced in December 2010, direct ...

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

Kumamoto is the capital Cities of Japan, 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 populat ...

. Its responsibility is the defense of the

Kagoshima , is the capital Cities of Japan, city of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 583,966 in 285,992 households, and a population density of 1100 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Etymology While the ...

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 1 × 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. Acc ...

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

, 1 × Type 16 maneuver combat vehicle, and 1 × 120 mm F1 mortar company ** 43rd Infantry Regiment, in

Miyakonojō is a city in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 158,235 in 72394 households, and a population density of 240 persons per km2. The total area of the city is , making it the largest city in the prefecture in t ...

, with 1 × headquarters, four Type 73 armored personnel carrier, and 1 × 120 mm mortar company ** 8th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, in Kumamoto, with Type 81 and Type 93

surface-to-air missile A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground or the sea to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-ai ...

systems ** 8th Engineer Battalion (Combat), in Satsumasendai ** 8th Signal Battalion, in Kumamoto ** 8th Reconnaissance Company, in Kumamoto, with Type 87 reconnaissance vehicles ** Western Army Ground-to-Ship and Anti-Tank Unit, in Kusu, with 3 × Type 96 multi-purpose missile system platoons (administrative control during peacetime) ** 8th Aviation Squadron, in Mashiki, flying UH-1J and OH-6D helicopters ** 8th NBC Protection 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