3rd Division (Japan)

**3rd Division**
3rd Division
	3rd Division Distinctive Unit Insignia
Active	18 January 1962 – present
Country	Japan
Branch	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Type	Infantry division
Size	about 6400 soldiers
Part of	Central Army
Garrison/HQ	Itami
Commanders
Current; commander	Lt. Gen. Shigeru Kobayashi

The 3rd Division (第3師団) is one of nine active divisions of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The division is subordinated to the Central Army and is headquartered in Itami, Hyōgo.^[1] Its responsibility is the defense of the Hyōgo, Kyōto, Nara, Ōsaka, Shiga and Wakayama prefectures.

The division was raised on 18 January 1962.

Organization[edit]

3rd Division, in Itami
- 3rd Division HQ, in Itami
- 7th Infantry Regiment, in Fukuchiyama, with 1x headquarters, 5x infantry, and 1x 120mm mortar company
- 36th Infantry Regiment, in Itami, with 1x headquarters, 5x infantry, and 1x 120mm mortar company
- 37th Infantry Regiment, in Izumi, with 1x headquarters, 5x infantry, and 1x 120mm mortar company
- 3rd Tank Battalion, in Takashima, with 2x Type 74 tank company
- 3rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, in Himeji, with Type 81 and Type 93 Surface-to-air missile systems
- 3rd Engineer Battalion (Combat), in Uji
- 3rd Signal Battalion, in Itami
- 3rd Aviation Squadron, in Yao, flying UH-1J and OH-6D helicopters
- 3rd NBC Protection Company, in Itami
- 3rd Logistic Support Regiment, in Itami
  - 1st Maintenance Battalion
  - 2nd Maintenance Battalion
  - Supply Company
  - Medical Company
  - Transport Company

^ "陸自第３師団創立記念行事２１日、駐屯地一般開放". 大阪日日新聞 (in Japanese). 19 May 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.