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List of all divisions and divisional-sized formations of the Imperial Japanese Army.
HQ locations are described with geographical, not political features, save Japan and China with Manchuria, where prefectures/provinces are mentioned to make finding the city easier.
If there were several names of the city in use or then and current place names are different, they all are mentioned. This is especially important for place names in China, where historical and current transliteration of the same name into English can differ greatly.
The Japanese Army (especially IJAAF) liked to give different names to roughly similar formations, not all of this can be adequately represented in English. On the other hand, it had no company-squadron-battery distinctions like Western armies.
Dates for the unit formation or disbandment are according to the date of the appointment or transfer out the first/last unit commander.
If no detailed description is given, the divisional replenishment district or HQ are located in mainland Japan.
Names of replenishment districts changed over time, but their areas and and main garrison cities remained mostly the same during 1925-1945 period.
If no detailed description is given, the division was formed in the parent replenishment district.
The replenishment area, covering whole Manchuria, was officially named “Kwantung Military District”, even though Kwantung (Liaodong) Leased Territory comprised only a small part of it.
Divisions that were largely destroyed by the end of World War 2 are marked in red.
Those were the backbone of the IJA, providing its main fighting power. Note, that majority was formed only during the last year of war.
The Japanese Army infantry division was considered a combined arms formation, so officially there were no “infantry divisions” in the IJA – just “divisions”.
Unit name | Formation date | Replenishment district | Unit code name | HQ location on 1 August 1937 | HQ location on 8 December 1941 | HQ location on 15 August 1945 | Notes |
(2nd) Guards Division | 24 December 1891 | Tokyo |
|
Tokyo | En route from French Indo-China (Cambodia) to Thailand | Medan, Sumatra Island, Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) | Renamed the 2nd Guards Division 1 June 1943. |
1st Guards Division | 10 June 1943 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Tokyo, Japan | Formed from the elements of the Guards Division in Japan. |
3rd Guards Division | 6 April 1944 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Narito, Chiba Prefecture, Japan |
|
1st Division | 14 May 1888 | Tokyo |
|
Tsitsihar (Qiqihar), Manchuria | Tsitsihar (Qiqihar), Manchuria | Medellin, Cebu Island, Philippines | Renamed from the Tokyo Garrison. Largely destroyed on Leyte Island by January 1945. |
2nd Division | 14 May 1888 | Sendai |
|
En route from Manchuria to northern China | Sendai | Saigon, French Indo-China (Vietnam) | Renamed from the Sendai Garrison |
3rd Division | 14 May 1888 | Nagoya |
|
En route to Shanghai,China | near Changsha, Hunan Province, China | Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China - en route to Shanghai, China | Renamed from the Nagoya Garrison |
4th Division | 14 May 1888 | Osaka |
|
Manchuria | Central China | Lampang, Thailand | Renamed from the Osaka Garrison |
5th Division | 14 May 1888 | Hiroshima |
|
En route to northern China | Landing in southern Thailand for the capture of Malaya | Piru, Seram Island, Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) | Renamed from the Hiroshima Garrison |
6th Division | 14 May 1888 | Kumamoto |
|
En route to northern China | near Changsha, Hunan Province, China | southern Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands | Renamed from the Kumamoto Garrison. Largely destroyed on Bougainville Island by March 1944. |
7th Division | 12 May 1896 | Asahikawa |
|
Asahikawa | Asahikawa | Obihiro, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan | Formed from the Hokkaido Tondenhei (settler soldiers). Temporary commander appointed 4 March 1895. |
8th Division | 1 October 1898 | Hirosaki |
|
Hirosaki (planned for move to Manchuria) | Yehe near Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Rodriguez (Montalban) east of Manila, Luzon Island, Philippines | Part destroyed on Leyte by December 1944. Largely destroyed on Luzon Island by March 1945. |
9th Division | 1 October 1898 | Kanazawa |
|
En route to Shanghai, China | Manchuria | Shinchiku (Hsinchu), Taiwan |
|
10th Division | 1 October 1898 | Himeji |
|
En route to northern China | Kiamusze (Jiamusi), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Binabakan, Luzon Island, Philippines | Largely destroyed on Luzon Island by March 1945. |
11th Division | 1 October 1898 | Zentsuji |
|
En route to Shanghai,China | Mishan, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Kochi, Kochi Prefecture, Japan |
|
12th Division | 1 October 1898 | Kokura |
|
Donning (Dongning), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Yehe near Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Guanmiao, Tainan City, Taiwan |
|
13th Division | 1 April 1905 | Takada | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 1 May 1925. |
13th Division (2nd formation) | 10 September 1937 | Sendai |
|
─ | Central China | Changsha, Hunan Province, China |
|
14th Division | 6 July 1905 | Utsunomiya |
|
En route to northern China | Handagaya(?) near Nomonhan (Khalkhin Gol) River, western Manchuria | Palau Islands | Largely destroyed on Peleliu and Angaur Islands by November 1944. |
15th Division | 1 April 1905 | Toyohashi | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 1 May 1925. |
15th Division (2nd formation) | 15 July 1938 | Kyoto |
|
─ | Central China | Kanchanaburi, Thailand |
|
16th Division | 18 July 1905 | Kyoto |
|
Kyoto | En route to land at Lamon Bay and Legazpi, Luzon Island, for the capture of Philippines | Mount Kangipot, Leyte Island, Philippines | Largely destroyed on Leyte Island by January 1945. |
17th Division |
30 November 1907
|
Okayama | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 1 May 1925. |
17th Division (2nd formation) | 15 July 1938 | Himeji |
|
─ | Central China | Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Islands |
|
18th Division |
13 November 1907
|
Kurume | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 1 May 1925 |
18th Division (2nd formation) | 11 September 1937 | Kurume |
|
─ | Landing in southern Thailand for the capture of Malaya | Chait (east of Sittang River), Myanmar (Burma) |
|
19th Division | 1 April 1916 | Seishin (Ranam, Chongjin), Korea |
|
Seishin (Ranam, Chongjin), Korea | Seishin (Ranam, Chongjin), Korea | Bugias, northern Luzon, Philippines | Formed in Tokyo for service in Korea. |
20th Division | 1 April 1919 | Keijo (Seoul), Korea |
|
En route to northern China | Keijo (Seoul), Korea | south of Aitape, eastern New Guinea Island | Formed in Yongsan, Keijo (Seoul), Korea. Largely destroyed on New Guinea Island by May 1945. |
21st Division | 15 July 1938 | Kanazawa |
|
─ | Hanoi, French Indo-China (Vietnam) | Hanoi, French Indo-China (Vietnam) |
|
22nd Division | 15 July 1938 | Sendai |
|
─ | Around Hangchow (Hangzhou), Chekiang (Zhejiang) Province, China | Bangkok, Thailand |
|
23rd Division | 7 July 1938 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | Hailar, Manchuria | Mount Pulag, northern Luzon, Philippines | Formed in Harbin, Manchuria. Largely destroyed by Soviet-Mongolian forces at Nomonhan (Khalkhin Gol) River, Mongolia by August 1939. Reconstructed in Manchuria. Largely destroyed on Luzon Island by June 1945. |
24th Division | 2 October 1939 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Okinawa Island | Formed Donning (Dongning), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria. Destroyed on Okinawa Island by June 1945. |
25th Division | 10 July 1940 | Osaka |
|
─ | Linkou near Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Kobayashi, Miyazaki Prefecture | Formed in Donning (Dongning), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria. |
26th Division | 5 October 1937 | Nagoya |
|
─ | Northern China | Mount Kangipot, Leyte Island, Philippines | Formed in Datong, Shanxi Province, China from the 11th Independent Mixed Brigade. Largely destroyed on Leyte by January 1945. The 11th Independent Infantry Regiment was largely destroyed on Luzon by May(?) 1945. |
27th Division | 15 July 1938 | Tokyo |
|
─ | Tientsin (Tianjin), northern China | Ganzhou or Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China | Formed in Beiping (Peking, Beijing), China, from the China Garrison Corps (before 26 August 1937 - the China Garrison Mixed Brigade). |
28th Division | 1 August 1940 | Tokyo |
|
─ | Manchuria | Miyakojima, Ryukyu Islands | Formed in Hsinking (Changchun, Xinjing), Manchuria. |
29th Division | 1 April 1941 | Nagoya |
|
─ | Liaoyang, Fengtian (Liaoning) Province, Manchuria | - | Largely destroyed on Guam and Tinian Islands by August 1944. |
30th Division | 10 June 1943 | Heijo (Pyongyang), Korea |
|
─ | ─ | Sagunto, Mindanao Island, Philippines | Formed in Heijo (Pyongyang), Korea from the existing infantry regiments, removed from ex 4-regiment divisions. Largely destroyed on Mindanao Island by July 1945. |
31st Division | 25 March 1943 | Kofu |
|
─ | ─ | Hpa-an near Thaton, Burma (Myanmar) | Formed in Bangkok, Thailand from various units, including the Kawaguchi Detachment of the 18th Division. |
32nd Division | 9 March 1939 | Tokyo |
|
─ | Shanxi Province, China | Wasile, Halmahera Island, Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) |
|
33rd Division | 9 March 1939 | Sendai |
|
─ | Nanking (Nanjing), Jiangsu Province, China | near Thaton, Burma (Myanmar) |
|
34th Division | 9 March 1939 | Osaka |
|
─ | Central China | Jiujiang (Kiukiang) - en route to Nanking (Nanjing), China |
|
35th Division | 9 March 1939 | Tokyo |
|
─ | Northern China | Sorong, western New Guinea Island | The 219th Infantry Regiment was largely destroyed on Noemfoor Island by July 1944. |
36th Division | 9 March 1939 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | Northern China | near Sarmi, western New Guinea Island | The 222nd Infantry Regiment was largely destroyed on Biak Island by August 1944. |
37th Division | 9 March 1939 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | Shanxi Province, China | Bangkok, Thailand - en route to Malaya |
|
38th Division | 2 October 1939 | Nagoya |
|
─ | Near Hong Kong, China | Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Islands |
|
39th Division | 2 October 1939 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | Yichang (Ichang) City, Hubei Province, China | Siping, Jilin Province, Manchuria |
|
40th Division | 2 October 1939 | Zentsuji |
|
─ | near Changsha, Hunan Province, China | Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China |
|
41st Division | 2 October 1939 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | Shanxi Province, China | Prince Alexander Mountains south of Wewak, eastern New Guinea Island | Largely destroyed on New Guinea Island by May 1945. |
42nd Division | 10 June 1943 | Sendai |
|
─ | ─ | Wakkanai, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan |
Formed from the home troops of the 2nd Division and the 62nd Independent Infantry Group. |
43rd Division | 10 June 1943 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | ─ | Formed from the home troops of the 3rd Division and the 63rd Independent Infantry Group. Destroyed on Saipan Island by July 1944. |
44th Division | 6 April 1944 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | Takahama | Formed from the home troops of the 4th Division. |
46th Division | 10 June 1943 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Kluang, Malaya | Formed from the home troops of the 6th Division and the 66th Independent Infantry Group. |
47th Division | 10 June 1943 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | ─ | Wuhan - en route to Jinan (Tsinan), China | Formed from the home troops of the 57th Division and the 67th Independent Infantry Group. |
48th Division | 2 December 1940 | Taiwan (Formosa) |
|
─ | Takao (Kaohsiung), Kīrun (Keelung), Taiwan (Formosa) and Makō (Magong), Hōko (Penghu) Islands - ready to sail to land on Luzon, Philippines | Timor Island, Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) | Formed on Hainan Island from the Taiwanese Mixed Brigade and the 47th Infantry Regiment from the 6th Division. |
49th Division | 7 January 1944 | Keijo (Seoul), Korea |
|
─ | ─ | Thaton, Burma (Myanmar) | Formed from the home troops of the 57th Division. |
50th Division | 10 May 1944 | Taiwan (Formosa) |
|
─ | ─ | Chaozhou, Pingtung, Taiwan | Formed in Taihoku (Taipei), Taiwan from the home troops of the 48th Division. |
51st Division | 1 September 1940 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | Guangdong Province, China (66th Infantry Regiment participated in the Battle of Hong Kong) | south of Wewak, eastern New Guinea Island | Formed from the home troops of the 14th Division. Largely destroyed in Lae, eastern New Guinea Island by September 1943. |
52nd Division | 1 October 1940 | Kanazawa |
|
─ | Kanazawa | Truk Island, Caroline Islands | Formed from the home troops of the 9th Division. |
53rd Division | 16 September 1941 | Kyoto |
|
─ | Kyoto | East of Sittang River, Myanmar (Burma) | Formed from the home troops of the 16th Division. |
54th Division | 1 August 1940 | Himeji |
|
─ | Himeji | Schwegyin, Myanmar (Burma) | Formed from the home troops of the 10th Division. |
55th Division | 1 August 1940 | Zentsuji |
|
─ | En route to Phnom Penh, French Indo-China (Cambodia) | Phnom Penh, French Indo-China (Cambodia) | Formed from the home troops of the 11th Division. |
56th Division | 1 August 1940 | Kurume |
|
─ | Kurume; Sakaguchi Detachment en route from Palau Islands to land at Davao, Mindanao Island, for the capture of Philippines | Kemapyu, Myanmar (Burma) | Formed from the home troops of the 12th Division. |
57th Division | 1 August 1940 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | Shenwutun, Heihe Province (now Heilongjiang Province), Manchuria | Fukuoka | Formed from the home troops of the 8th Division. |
58th Division | 3 February 1942 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Gui (Guijang) River, eastern Guanxi (Kwangsi) Province, China | Formed in Hankou (Wuhan), China, from the 18th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
59th Division | 1 April 1942 | Tokyo (Kashiwa) |
|
─ | ─ | Kanko (Hamhung, Hamheung), Korea | Formed in Tsinan (Jinan), Shandong Province, China from the 10th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
60th Division | 1 April 1942 | Sakura |
|
─ | ─ | Soochow (Suzhou), China | Formed around Shanghai, China from the 11th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
61st Division | 18 March 1943 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Shanghai, China | Formed from the 61st Independent Infantry Group. |
62nd Division | 10 June 1943 | Kyoto |
|
─ | ─ | - | Formed in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China from parts of the 4h Independent Mixed Brigade and the 6th Independent Mixed Brigade. Destroyed on Okinawa Island by June 1945. |
63rd Division | 10 June 1943 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | ─ | Mukden (Fengtian, Shenyang), Manchuria | Formed in north China from parts of the 6th Independent Mixed Brigade and the 15th Independent Mixed Brigade and units, formed on the Japanese mainland. |
64th Division | 10 May 1943 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Xiangyin near Changsha, Hunan Province, China | Formed in Yangzhou (Yangchow), Jiangsu Province, China from the 12th Independent Mixed Brigade and units formed under the Hiroshima Divisional District. |
65th Division | 10 June 1943 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | Suchow (Xuzhou), Jiangsu province, China | Formed in Luzhou, Anhui Province, China from the 13th Independent Mixed Brigade and various units formed under the Nagoya Divisional District. |
66th Division | 14 July 1944 | Taiwan |
|
─ | ─ | Taihoku (Taipei), Taiwan | Formed in Taihoku (Taipei), Taiwan from the 46th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
68th Division | 1 April 1942 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | Hengyang, Hunan Province - en route to Changning, Shanghai, China | Formed in Jiujiang (Kiukiang), Kiangsi (Jiangxi) Province, China from the 14th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
69th Division | 1 April 1942 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | ─ | Jiading, Shanghai, China | Formed in Linfen, Shanxi Province, China from the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
70th Division | 1 April 1942 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Hangchow (Hangzhou), Chekiang (Zhejiang) Province, China - en route for Manchuria | Formed in Ningbo, Chekiang (Zhejiang) Province, China from the 20th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
71st Division | 17 April 1944 | Asahikawa |
|
─ | ─ | Kagi (Chiayi), Taiwan | Formed in Hunchun, Manchuria from the Hunchun Garrison (mainly the 87th and the 88th Infantry Regiments) and the 140th Infantry Regiment from the 110th Division. |
72nd Division | 6 April 1944 | Sendai |
|
─ | ─ | Fukushima, Fukushima Prefecture | Formed from the home troops of the 2nd Division. |
73rd Division | 8 July 1944 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture |
|
77th Division | 1 April 1944 | Asahikawa |
|
─ | ─ | Kajiki, Kagoshima Prefecture | Formed from the home troops of the 7th Division. |
79th Division | 20 February 1945 | Seishin (Ranam, Chongjin), Korea |
|
─ | ─ | Tumen, Jilin Province, Manchuria | Formed Seishin (Ranam, Chongjin), Korea from the home troops of the 19th Division and the 20th Division. |
81st Division | 6 April 1944 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | ─ | Yuki, Ibaraki Prefecture | Formed from the home troops of the 51st Division. |
84th Division | 8 July 1944 | Osaka or Himeji(?) |
|
─ | ─ | Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture | Formed in Himeji from part of the home troops of the 54th Division. |
86th Division | 6 April 1944 | Kurume |
|
─ | ─ | Coast of Shibushi Bay, Kagoshima Prefecture | Formed from the 56th Division. |
88th Division | 19 March 1945 | Asahikawa |
|
─ | ─ | Toyohara, Karafuto (Sakhalin) Island | Formed in Toyohara, Karafuto (Sakhalin) Island from the Karafuto Mixed Brigade. |
89th Division | 16 March 1945 | Asahikawa |
|
─ | ─ | Etorofu Island, Chishima (Kuril) Islands | Formed on Etorofu Island from the 43rd Independent Mixed Brigade and the 69th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
91st Division | 17 April 1944 | Asahikawa |
|
─ | ─ | Kashiwara, Paramushir Island and Kataoka, Shumshu Island, Chishima (Kuril) Islands | Formed on Paramushir and Shumshu islands from the 1st Kuril Garrison. |
93rd Division | 8 July 1944 | Kanazawa |
|
─ | ─ | Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture | Formed from the home troops of the 52nd Division with the addition of personnel and horses from the Army Infantry School, Army Field Artillery School, Army Engineer Training Regiment. |
94th Division | 16 October 1944 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | Sungei Patani, Malaya | Formed in Malaya from the 12th Independent Garrison and the 18th Independent Garrison. |
96th Division | 20 February 1945 | Kurume |
|
─ | ─ | Saishu (Jeju) Island, Korea | Formed in Keijo (Seoul), Korea mainly from home troops of the 20th Division and the 84th Infantry Group. |
100th Division | 27 June 1944 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | Tamugan NW of Davao, Mindanao Island, Philippines | Formed on Mindanao Island, Philippines from the 30th Independent Mixed Brigade and units from Japan. |
101st Division | 3 September 1937 | Tokyo | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 25 February 1940. |
102nd Division | 21 June 1944 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Ilihan, northern Cebu Island, Philippines | Formed on Panay and Cebu islands, Philippines from the 31st Independent Mixed Brigade and two infantry battalions and divisional rear units that had been formed in Japan. |
103rd Division | 21 June 1944 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Mayon Volcano, eastern Luzon Island, Philippines | Formed on Luzon Island, Philippines from the 32nd Independent Mixed Brigade. Largely destroyed by March 1945. |
104th Division | 25 June 1938 | Osaka |
|
─ | Guangdong Province, China | Chaozhou (Chiuchow, Chaochow) or Haifeng (Hoifung), Guangdong Province, China |
|
105th Division | 21 June 1944 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Kiangan, north Luzon, Philippines | Formed on southern Luzon Island, Philippines from the 33rd Independent Mixed Brigade. Largely destroyed by March 1945. |
106th Division | 16 May 1938 | Kumamoto | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 9 March 1940. |
107th Division | 19 May 1944 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | ─ | Yinder (Ondeer, Yinde'er), Manchuria | Formed in Arshan (Arxan), Manchuria from the Arshan Garrison and the 7th Independent Mixed Regiment. |
108th Division | 26 August 1937 | Hirosaki | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 21 February 1940. |
108th Division (2nd formation) | 14 July 1944 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | ─ | Jinxian (Chinhsien, Jinzhou, Chinchow, Linghai), Fengtian (Liaoning) Province, Manchuria | Formed in Jehol (Rehe, Chengde), Jehol (Rehe) Province (now Hebei Province), Manchuria from the 9th Independent Garrison. |
109th Division | 26 August 1937 | Kanazawa | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 24 December 1939. |
109th Division (2nd formation) | 22 May 1944 | Kofu Regimental District(?) |
|
─ | ─ | Chichijima Island, Ogasawara Islands | Formed with Chichijima Fortress Garrison as its core. Largely destroyed on Ioto (Iwo Jima) Island by March 1945. |
110th Division | 18 June 1938 | Himeji |
|
─ | Around Beiping (Peking, Beijing) | Luoyang, Henan Province, China |
|
111th Division | 14 July 1944 | Zentsuji |
|
─ | ─ | Saishu (Jeju) Island, Korea | Formed in Manchuria from the 9th Independent Garrison and the remnants of the units sent to the south. |
112th Division | 14 July 1944 | Kurume |
|
─ | ─ | Hunchun, Jilin Province, Manchuria | Formed in Hunchun, Jilin Province, Manchuria from the 9th Independent Garrison and the remaining troops of the 28th Division (transferred to Miyakojima, Japan). |
114th Division | 20 October 1937 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | ─ | ─ | Disbanded 12 August 1939. |
114th Division (2nd formation) | 14 July 1944 | Mizonokuchi Regimental District(?) |
|
─ | ─ | Linfen (Pingyang) or Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China | Formed in Linfen (Pingyang), Shanxi Province, China from the 3rd Independent Infantry Brigade and transfers from the 69th Division. |
115th Division | 14 July 1944 | Asahikawa |
|
─ | ─ | Yancheng (Luohe), Henan Province, China | Formed in Chengxian County, Henan Province, from the 7th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
116th Division | 15 May 1938 | Kyoto |
|
─ | Central China | Baoqing (Paoking, Shaoyang) or Hengyang, Hunan province, China |
|
117th Division | 14 July 1944 | Tokyo (Kashiwa Regimental District(?)) |
|
─ | ─ | Dalai (Dalaixiang) north-east of Songyuan - retreating from Taoshan, Jilin Province, Manchuria | Formed in Sinsiang (Xinxiang), Henan Province, China from the 14th Independent Infantry Brigade. |
118th Division | 14 July 1944 | Kyoto |
|
─ | ─ | Beiping (Peking, Beijing) or Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, China | Formed in Tatung (Datong), Shanxi Province, from the 9th Independent Infantry Brigade. |
119th Division | 14 October 1944 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Hailar, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Formed in Hailar from remaining troops of the 23rd Division (transferred to Philippines) and the 8th Border Garrison. |
120th Division | 27 November 1944 | Zentsuji |
|
─ | ─ | Seoul (Keijo), Korea - en route to the USSR-Korea border after Soviet attack | Formed in Donning (Dongning), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria from remaining troops of the 12th Division (transferred to Taiwan (Formosa)). |
121st Division | 20 January 1945 | Zentsuji |
|
─ | ─ | Saishu (Jeju) Island, Korea | Formed in Chenggaozi, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria from the remaining troops of the 28th Division (transferred to Miyakojima), the 3rd Horse Artillery Regiment and the Transport Unit of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade. |
122nd Division | 20 January 1945 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Nanhutou south of Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Formed in Xinglong, Mudanjiang, Manchuria from the remaining troops of the 11th Division and the 4th Border Garrison. |
123rd Division | 20 January 1945 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | Sunwu, Heihe, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Formed in Sunwu, Heihe, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria from the 73rd Independent Mixed Brigade (itself formed from the remaining troops of the 1st Division (transferred to the Philippines)). |
124th Division | 10 January 1945 | Sendai |
|
─ | ─ | Ning'an (Ning'anxian, Ningguta), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Formed in Suiyang, Suiyang County, Mudanjiang Province from the remaining troops of the 8th Division, the 111th Division (transferred to Korea), with the addition of parts of the 1st Border Garrison, 2nd Border Garrison, 11th Border Garrison. |
125th Division | 20 January 1945 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Tonghua, Tonghua Province (now Jilin Province), Manchuria | Formed at Shenmutun, Heihe Province, Manchuria from the remaining troops of the 57th Division (transferred to Kyushu Island), the 7th Border Garrison and the 13th Border Garrison. |
126th Division | 20 January 1945 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Yehe near Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Formed in Don'an Province around Mudanjiang, Manchuria from the main forces of the 3rd Border Garrison, the 12th Border Garrison, and troops of the 25th Division, the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, the 11th Border Garrison. |
127th Division | 20 January 1945 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | ─ | Tumen, Jilin Province, Manchuria | Formed in Jiandao (Chientao, Yanji), Jilin Province, Manchuria from the 9th Border Garrison located in Wujiazi, Manchuria. |
128th Division | 20 January 1945 | Kanazawa |
|
─ | ─ | Huapidanzi west of Luozigou, Jilin Province, Manchuria | Formed in Chengzigou, Donning County, Mudanjiang Province from the remaining troops of the 120th Division (transferred to Korea), with the addition of parts of the 1st Border Garrison, the 2nd Border Garrison, the 11th Border Garrison. |
129th Division | 15 April 1945 | Nagano |
|
─ | ─ | Shilong, Dongguan City, Guandong Province, China | Formed in southern China from part of the 19th Independent Mixed Brigade and the Harai Unit, a replacement unit dispatched from Japan in January 1945. |
130th Division | 15 April 1945 | Kyoto |
|
─ | ─ | Panyu, Guandong Province, China | Formed in southern China from part of the 19th Independent Mixed Brigade and the Namashio Unit, a replacement unit dispatched from Japan in January 1945. |
131st Division | 20 February 1945 | Kanazawa |
|
─ | ─ | Nanchang or Anqing, Anhui Province - en route to Shanghai, China | Formed in Xianning near Hankou (Wuhan), China from units of the 27th Division and the 40th Division. |
132nd Division | 19 March 1945 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | Dangyang, Yichang (Ichang) City, Hubei Province, China | Formed near Yichang, China from units of the 39th Division and the 68th Division. |
133rd Division | 1 March 1945 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Hangchow (Hangzhou), Chekiang (Zhejiang) Province, China | Formed in Kweilin (Guilin), Kweichow (Guizhou) Prownice, China from units of the 63rd Division and the 70th Division. |
134th Division | 16 July 1945 | Manchuria |
|
─ | ─ | Fangzheng, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria - retreating from Kiamusze (Jiamusi), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Formed in Kiamusze (Jiamusi), Manchuria from the 14th Border Garrison, the 78th Independent Mixed Brigade, and the Tominishiki (Fujin) Garrison. |
135th Division | 16 July 1945 | Manchuria |
|
─ | ─ | Yehe near Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria | Formed from the 2nd Border Garrison, the 4th Border Garrison, the 46th Logistics Guards, and the 77th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
136th Division | 16 July 1945 | Manchuria |
|
─ | ─ | Mukden (Fengtian, Shenyang), Manchuria | Formed in Haicheng, Anshan, Fengtian (Liaoning) Province, Manchuria from the remaining troops of the 29th Division (transferred to Saipan) and local Japanese conscripts. |
137th Division | 16 July 1945 | Seishin (Ranam, Chongjin), Korea |
|
─ | ─ | Teihei (Chongpyong, Jeongpyeong), Korea | Formed in Seishin (Ranam, Chongjin), Korea from transferees from the 79th Division and conscripts from Manchuria and Korea. |
138th Division | 16 July 1945 | Manchuria |
|
─ | ─ | Fushun, Fengtian (Liaoning) Province, Manchuria | Formed in Panshi, Jilin Province, Manchuria with personnel transferred from various local units and Japanese men drafted in Manchuria. |
139th Division | 16 July 1945 | Manchuria |
|
─ | ─ | Dunhua (Dunhwa), Manchuria | Formed Jilin Province, Manchuria from the 77th Logistics Guard Unit, the 79th Logistics Guard Unit, the 80th Logistics Guard Unit and Japanese men drafted in Manchuria. |
140th Division | 1 April 1945 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Katase (Fujisawa), Kanagawa Prefecture |
|
142nd Division | 1 April 1945 | Sendai |
|
─ | ─ | Yoshioka, Kurokawa District, Miyagi Prefecture |
|
143rd Division | 1 April 1945 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | Kiga, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture |
|
144th Division | 1 April 1945 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | Cape Shionomisaki, Wakayama Prefecture |
|
145th Division | 28 February 1945 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Ashiya, Fukuoka Prefecture |
|
146th Division | 1 April 1945 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Ōkuchi, Kagoshima Prefecture |
|
147th Division | 1 April 1945 | Asahikawa |
|
─ | ─ | Mobara, Chiba Prefecture |
|
148th Division | 16 July 1945 | Manchuria |
|
─ | ─ | Hsinking (Changchun, Xinjing), Manchuria | Formed in Hsinking (Changchun, Xinjing), Jilin Province, Manchuria from the 74th Logistics Guard Units and the 101st Guards Headquarters and Koreans serving in Manchuria. |
149th Division | 16 July 1945 | Manchuria |
|
─ | ─ | Harbin, Manchuria - en route from Tsitsihar (Qiqihar), Manchuria | Formed in Tsitsihar (Qiqihar), Manchuria from the 5th Border Garrison, the 6th Border Garrison, the 7th Border Garrison and local Japanese conscripts. |
150th Division | 1 April 1945 | Keijo (Seoul), Korea |
|
─ | ─ | Seiyū (Jeongeup), Zenrahoku (Jeollabuk) Province, Korea | Formed in southern Korea. |
151st Division | 1 April 1945 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | ─ | Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture |
|
152nd Division | 1 April 1945 | Kanazawa |
|
─ | ─ | Choshi, Chiba Prefecture |
|
153rd Division | 1 April 1945 | Kyoto |
|
─ | ─ | Ujiyamada (Ise), Mie Prefecture |
|
154th Division | 31 March 1945 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Saito, Miyazaki Prefecture |
|
155th Division | 1 April 1945 | Zentsuji |
|
─ | ─ | Kami and Aki Districts, eastern Kochi Prefecture |
|
156th Division | 1 April 1945 | Kurume |
|
─ | ─ | Honjo, Miyazaki Prefecture |
|
157th Division | 1 April 1945 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | ─ | Sanbongi, Aomori Prefecture |
|
158th Division | 10 August 1945 | Manchuria |
|
─ | ─ | Hsinking (Changchun, Xinjing), Manchuria | The last division ordered to be formed in the Army. Formed from cadets of local officer and NCO schools. No commander was appointed. Never completed formation. |
160th Division | 1 April 1945 | Heijo (Pyongyang), Korea |
|
─ | ─ | Iksan (Iri), Korea | Formed in southern Korea. |
161st Division | 15 April 1945 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Nanking (Nanjing), China - en route to Inner Mongolia, northern China | Formed in Shanghai, China. |
201st Division | 30 April 1945 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Kunitachi, Tokyo |
|
202nd Division | 30 April1945 | Sendai |
|
─ | ─ | Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture |
|
205th Division | 30 April 1945 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Kochi, Kochi Prefecture |
|
206th Division | 30 April 1945 | Kumamoto |
|
─ | ─ | Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture |
|
209th Division | 30 April 1945 | Kanazawa |
|
─ | ─ | Tsubata, Ishikawa Prefecture |
|
212th Division | 30 April 1945 | Kurume |
|
─ | ─ | Tsuno, Miyazaki Prefecture |
|
214th Division | 30 April 1945 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | ─ | Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture |
|
216th Division | 30 April 1945 | Kyoto |
|
─ | ─ | Uto, Kumamoto Prefecture |
|
221st Division | 5 July 1945 | Nagano |
|
─ | ─ | Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture |
|
222nd Division | 1 June 1945 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | ─ | Iwate Prefecture |
|
224th Division | 5 July 1945 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Hiroshima |
|
225th Division | 1 June 1945 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | Himeji or nearby Tatsuno, Hyogo Prefecture |
|
229th Division | 2 June 1945 | Kanazawa |
|
─ | ─ | Tsubata, Ishikawa Prefecture |
|
230th Division | 1 June 1945 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Okayama, Okayama Prefecture |
|
231st Division | 1 June 1945 | Hiroshima |
|
─ | ─ | Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, |
|
234th Division | 5 July 1945 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Yokaichi, Chiba Prefecture |
|
303rd Division | 1 June 1945 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | Kawauchi, Kagoshima Prefecture |
|
308th Division | 1 June 1945 | Hirosaki |
|
─ | ─ | Noheji, Aomori Prefecture |
|
312th Division | 1 June 1945 | Kurume |
|
─ | ─ | Imari, Saga Prefecture |
|
316th Division | 5 July 1945 | Kyoto |
|
─ | ─ | Isehara, Kanagawa Prefecture |
|
320th Division | 1 June 1945 | Keijo (Seoul), Korea |
|
─ | ─ | Seoul (Keijo) - en route to Genzan (Wonsan), Korea | Formed in Taikyu (Taegu, Daegu), Korea. |
321st Division | 1 June 1945 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Izu Oshima, Izu Islands (on entrance to Tokyo Bay) | Formed on Izu Oshima, Izu Islands from the 65th Independent Mixed Brigade. |
322nd Division | 5 July 1945 | Sendai |
|
─ | ─ | Ogawara, Miyagi Prefecture |
|
344th Division | 1 June 1945 | Zentsuji |
|
─ | ─ | Sukumo, Kochi Prefecture |
|
351st Division | 1 June 1945 | Utsunomiya |
|
─ | ─ | Fukuma, Fukuoka Prefecture |
|
354th Division | 1 June 1945 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Maruyama, Chiba Prefecture |
|
355th Division | 5 July 1945 | Himeji |
|
─ | ─ | Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture |
|
Those divisions were formed during the Russo-Japanese War from several previously independent reserve brigades.
Unit name | Formation date | Replenishment district | Notes |
1st Reserve Division | 13 November 1904 | ? | Disbanded February 1906 |
2nd Reserve Division | 27 January 1905 | ? | Disbanded December 1905 |
The only divisional-sized formation of the IJA cavalry was a cavalry group formed for operations in Northern China.
Unit name | Formation date | Replenishment district | Unit code name | HQ location on 1 August 1937 | HQ location on 8 December 1941 | HQ location on 15 August 1945 | Notes |
Cavalry Group | 21 April 1933 | Manchurian Prefecture | ─ | ?, Manchuria | Baotou, Inner Mongolia(?) | ─ | Formed in Manchuria from the 1st Cavalry Brigade and the 4th Cavalry Brigade (the 3rd Cavalry Brigade was added in October 1937(?)). Reorganized into the 3rd Tank Division 1 December 1942. |
Unit name | Formation date | Replenishment district | Unit code name | HQ location on 1 August 1937 | HQ location on 8 December 1941 | HQ location on 15 August 1945 | Notes |
1st Tank Division | 1 September 1942 | Fukuoka |
|
─ | ─ | Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan | Formed in Ning'an (Ning'anxian, Ningguta), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria with the 1st Tank Brigade as its core. The 9th Tank Regiment was transferred to Saipan Island, where it was destroyed by July 1944. 1st Tank Division Reconnaissance Unit was reorganized into the 26th Tank Regiment, transferred to the 109th Division, destroyed on Ioto (Iwo Jima) Island by March 1945. |
2nd Tank Division | 20 September 1942 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | Antipolo east of Manila, central Luzon, Philippines | Formed in Boli (Poli), Heilongjiang Province, Manchuria with the 2nd Tank Brigade as its core. The 11th Tank Regiment was transferred to the northern Kuril Islands, and fought against the Soviet army (Battle of Shumshu). Largely destroyed in Luzon by May 1945. |
3rd Tank Division | 1 December 1942 | Narashino (Tokyo(?)) |
|
─ | ─ | Beiping (Peking, Beijing), China | Formed in Baotou, Inner Mongolia from the HQ of the Cavalry Group, the 1st Cavalry Brigade and the 3rd Cavalry Brigade. |
4th Tank Division | 8 July 1944 | Narashino (Tokyo(?)) |
|
─ | ─ | Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan | Formed in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture, Japan from various training units. |
All divisional-sized formations of the IJA aviation (which included airborne troops as well) are listed here.
Formed to defend major industrial centers of Japan from air attacks.
Unit name | Formation date | Replenishment district | Unit code name | HQ location on 1 August 1937 | HQ location on 8 December 1941 | HQ location on 15 August 1945 | Notes |
1st Anti-Aircraft Division | 26 December 1944 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | Tokyo | Formed from the Eastern Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group. |
2nd Anti-Aircraft Division | 5 May 1945 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | Nagoya | Formed from the Nagoya Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit. |
3rd Anti-Aircraft Division | 5 May 1945 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | Osaka |
|
4th Anti-Aircraft Division | 5 May 1945 | Kokura |
|
─ | ─ | Kokura | Formed from the Western Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group. |
Eastern Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group | 1 June 1944 | Tokyo |
|
─ | ─ | ─ |
Formed from the Eastern Air Defense Brigade (formed 19 November 1941). Renamed 1st Anti-Aircraft Division 26 December 1944. |
Central Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group | 1 June 1944 | Osaka |
|
─ | ─ | ─ |
Formed from the Central Air Defense Brigade (formed 19 November 1941). Renamed 3rd Anti-Aircraft Division 5 May 1945. |
Western Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group | 1 June 1944 | Kokura |
|
─ | ─ | ─ |
Formed from the Western Air Defense Brigade (formed 19 November 1941). Renamed 4th Anti-Aircraft Division 5 May 1945. |
Nagoya Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit | 22 August 1944 | Nagoya |
|
─ | ─ | ─ | Renamed 2nd Anti-Aircraft Division 5 May 1945. |
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