8th Division (Japan)

8th Division
8th Division Distinctive Unit Insignia
Active	18 January 1962 - present
Country	Japan
Branch	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Part of	Western Army
Garrison/HQ	Kumamoto
Commanders
Current commander	Lt. Gen. Hidetoshi Horiguchi

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.

The division was raised on 18 January 1962.

Organization

8th Division, in Kumamoto
- 8th Division HQ, in Kumamoto
- 8th Tank Battalion, in Kusu, with four squadrons of Type 74 tanks
- 12th Infantry Regiment ^{note 1}, in Kirishima
- 24th Infantry Regiment, in Ebino
- 42nd Infantry Regiment, in Kumamoto
- 43rd Infantry Regiment, in Miyakonojō
- 8th Artillery Regiment, in Kumamoto
  - 1st Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  - 2nd Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  - 3rd Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  - 4th Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
  - 5th Artillery Battalion, with four batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
- 8th Reconnaissance Battalion, in Kumamoto, with Type 87 armored reconnaissance vehicle
- 8th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, in Kumamoto, with Type 81 and Type 93 Surface-to-air missile systems
- 8th Combat Engineer Battalion, in Satsumasendai
- 8th Signal Battalion, in Kumamoto
- 8th Aviation Squadron, in Mashiki, flying UH-1J and OH-6D helicopters
- 8th NBC Protection Battalion, in Kumamoto
- 8th Logistic Support Regiment, in Kumamoto
  - 1st Maintenance Battalion
  - 2nd Maintenance Battalion
  - Supply Company
  - Medical Company
  - Transport Company

note 1: Infantry Regiments have only battalion strength.