7th Division (Japan)

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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. 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 with Type 10. 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), 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.