Japanese Tanks of the Second World War

The Dai-chi Osaka Sensha (First Osaka Tank), or Number 1 Chi-I, was the first tank to be designed in Japan. Developed in 1925-27 it did not enter service.

The Type 91 Heavy Tank was one of a series of experimental multi-turreted heavy tanks designed in Japan between 1925 and the end of the 1930s, none of which entered production.

The Type 95 Heavy Tank was the last entry in a series of multi-turreted tanks developed in Japan between 1925 and the late 1930s, none of which entered production.

The Type 92 Jyu-Sokosha/ Kei Sensha/ Cavalry Tank was one of the first Japanese designed tanks to enter production. It had a good top speed, but was so poorly armoured that it was virtually useless in combat.

The Type 94 tankette was produced in larger numbers than any other Japanese armoured vehicle of the 1930s. Although it was originally designed to act as an armoured supply transporter, it was often used in combat as a miniature tank.

The Type 89 Yi-Go or Chi-Ro medium tank was the most important Japanese medium tank of the 1930s, and was the first at least partly Japanese-designed tank to be accepted by the Imperial Japanese Army

The Type 97 Tankette was an improved version of the earlier Type 94 Tankette, itself the most numerous Japanese armoured vehicle of the 1930s.

The Type 95 Ha-Go light tank was the most numerous Japanese tank produced during the Second World War.

The Type 98 Light Tank was designed during 1938 to replace the Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, but despite being a superior design it did not enter full production until 1942, and never appeared in large numbers

The Type 2 Ke-To light tank (Japan) was an improved version of the Type 98 light tank, carrying a modified gun turret.

The Type 3 Ke-Ri light tank was an experimental Japanese design which matched the chassis of the standard Type 95 Ha-go light tank with a 57mm gun

The Type 4 Ke-Nu light tank combined the chassis of the standard Japanese Type 95 light tank with turrets that had been removed from the original version of the Type 97 Chi-ha medium tank.