Tankopedia
InterwarMediumMedium TankJapan

Type 89 I-Go

In service 1931 - 1942

Japan's first domestically produced tank, and one of the first anywhere to use a diesel engine.

Built byOsaka Arsenal, Mitsubishi

Type 89 I-Go
Type 89 I-Go at Tsuchiura — Megapixie, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Development history

Developed from the imported Vickers Medium C, the Type 89 was Japan's first home-built tank in quantity. The Otsu version's air-cooled diesel was a genuine world first for series tank production, reducing fire risk and extending range in Manchuria. Armed with a short 57 mm gun for infantry support, it fought through the Manchurian and Chinese campaigns and in the Philippines in 1941-42 before being pushed aside by the Type 97 Chi-Ha.

Variants

One canonical record, 2 recorded variants.

  1. Type 89 Ko-Gata (A)

    1931

    Petrol engine, original hull form

  2. Type 89 Otsu-Gata (B)

    1934

    Air-cooled diesel, revised front plate and turret

Notable actions

  • Invasion of Manchuria
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Battle of the Philippines (1941-42)