Central Army (Japan)
| Central Army | |
|---|---|
Central Army Distinctive Unit Insignia | |
| Active | 14 January 1960 – present |
| Country | Japan |
| Branch | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Type | Field army |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Itami, Itami, Hyōgo |
| Website | Official website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Gen. Taizo Horii |
The Central Army or Middle Army (中部方面隊, Chūbuhōmen-tai) is one of five active Armies of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. It is headquartered in Itami, Hyōgo. Its responsibility is the defense of Chūgoku, Kansai, Shikoku and the Southern half of the Chūbu region.
Activities
The Central Army has participated in relief efforts within Japan such as the Kobe earthquake in 1995, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and nuclear cleanup efforts following the Fukushima nuclear accident, and Tropical Storm Talas in 2011.[1] They have also worked on international relief efforts, including reconstruction in Iraq in 2005, relief activities in Haiti in 2011, and peace cooperation activities 2014 in South Sudan.[1]
Organization
The Central Army is commanded by a lieutenant general, currently Makoto Endō (遠藤 充, Endō Makoto) (as of 1 November 2025.[2] The forces under this command include the following:
- Central Army, in Itami
- 3rd Division, in Itami, responsible for the defense of the Hyōgo, Kyōto, Nara, Ōsaka, Shiga and Wakayama prefectures.[1]
- 10th Division, in Nagoya, responsible for the defense of the Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Mie and Toyama prefectures.[3]
- 13th Brigade, in Kaita, responsible for the defense of the Chūgoku region.[4]
- 14th Brigade, in Zentsūji, responsible for the defense of Shikoku.[5]
- 4th Engineer Brigade, in Uji
- Central Army Field Artillery Unit, in Himeji, with three batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
- 1st Artillery Battalion, in Himeji
- 2nd Artillery Battalion, in Toyokawa, Aichi
- 3rd Artillery Battalion, in Nagi
- 4th Artillery Battalion, in Matsuyama
- 8th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group, in Ono (Type 3 Chū-SAM)
- Central Army Combined (Training) Brigade, in Ōtsu
- Central Army Aviation Group, in Yao
- 5th Anti-tank Helicopter Battalion, in Ise
- Central Army Helicopter Battalion, in Mashiki
- Central Army Meteorological Company, in Mashiki
- Logistic Support Battalion, in Mashiki
- Central Army Logistic Support, in Kyoto
- Central Army Signal Group, in Itami
- 104th Signal Battalion, in Itami
- 104th Command Center Signal Battalion, in Itami
- 303rd Central Communication Company, in Itami
- Central Army Medical Service, in Itami
- Central Army Military Intelligence Battalion, in Itami
- Kansai Logistic Depot, in Uji
References
- ^ a b c d e f 第3師団の紹介 [3rd Division Introduction] (in Japanese). JSDF 3rd Division. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ 中部方面総監の紹介 [Central Army Commander Introduction] (in Japanese). 陸上自衛隊 中部方面総監部広報室. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b c d 第10師団紹介 [10th Division Introduction] (in Japanese). JSDF 10th Division. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ 陸上自衛隊 第13旅団 旅団について [JSDF 13th Division - About the Division] (in Japanese). JSDF 13th Division. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b c 第14旅団の紹介 [14th Division Introduction] (in Japanese). JSDF 14th Division. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
External links
- Central Army Homepage (Japanese)