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
Size	Division
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. Its responsibility is the defense of the Hyōgo, Kyōto, Nara, Ōsaka, Shiga and Wakayama prefectures.

The division was raised on 18 January 1962.

Organization

3rd Division, in Itami
- 3rd Division HQ, in Itami
- 3rd Tank Battalion, in Takashima, with two squadrons of Type 74 tanks
- 7th Infantry Regiment ^{note 1}, in Fukuchiyama
- 36th Infantry Regiment, in Itami
- 37th Infantry Regiment, in Izumi
- 3rd Artillery Regiment, in Himeji, with four batteries of FH-70 towed howitzers
- 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, in Itami, with Type 87 armored reconnaissance vehicle
- 3rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, in Himeji, with Type 81 and Type 93 Surface-to-air missile systems
- 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, in Uji
- 3rd Signal Battalion, in Itami
- 3rd Aviation Squadron, in Yao, flying UH-1J and OH-6D helicopters
- 3rd NBC Protection Battalion, in Itami
- 3rd Logistic Support Regiment, in Itami
  - 1st Maintenance Battalion
  - 2nd Maintenance Battalion
  - Supply Company
  - Medical Company
  - Transport Company

note 1: Infantry Regiments have only battalion strength.