8th Division (Japan)

**8th Division**
8th Division
	8th Division Distinctive Unit Insignia
Active	18 January 1962 – present
Country	Japan
Branch	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Type	Infantry division
Size	6100 soldiers
Part of	Western Army
Garrison/HQ	Kumamoto
Commanders
Current; commander	Lt. Gen. Shinichi Aoki

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.

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The division was raised on 18 January 1962.

8th Division, in Kumamoto
- 8th Division HQ, in Kumamoto
- 12th Infantry Regiment, in Kirishima, with 1 × headquarters, four Type 73 armored personnel carrier, and 1 × 120 mm mortar company
- 42nd Rapid Deployment Regiment, in Kumamoto, with 1 × headquarters, three Type 96 armored personnel carrier, 1 × Type 16 maneuver combat vehicle, and 1 × 120 mm F1 mortar company
- 43rd Infantry Regiment, in Miyakonojō, 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 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

Organization