Secret and special weapons in Shōwa Japan

This article refers to plans for the incorporation and development of special or secret weapons in Imperial Japan during the first part of the Showa era, for the Second Sino-Japanese war and World War II, that were originally hidden from public knowledge to protect their efficacy. Weapons prohibited by the Geneva Protocol were of specific interest to Japan, since it was thought that if a weapon was banned then it must be particularly effective.

The United States and Germany are more famous for their development of special weapons, but Japan and Russia to a lesser extent both pursued weapons development.

The weapons developed by Japan included biological, chemical, and advanced conventional weapons. A diverse cross section of institutions and individuals in wartime Japan participated in various areas of development, such as The Munitions Ministry (Japan), the Tokyo Imperial University, the Riken (Japanese Institute of Physics and Chemical Research), the Black Dragon Society, the Mitsubishi business conglomerate, and the Nakajima Company. Military units involved included the Kempeitai, First Tachikawa Army Arsenal, Sagami Army Arsenal, and Yokosuka Naval Arsenal.

Japanese army interest in development of secret weapons
With the reinforcement of the defenses of the homeland, a strong desire arose within Imperial General Headquarters to improve the military situation by the invention of Special or Secret weapons for decisive combat. In order to apply science to military problems, from every aspect, IGHQ therefore appealed to scholars and technical experts for their co-operation.

Among the various assorted types of such weapons intended for decisive battle, the Japanese Army made efforts to put infra-red radiation to practical use. They tried to perfect heat-seeking bombs, in order to sink American troopships, with a 100% certainty of kill. This was expected to retrieve Japan's fortunes in one fell swoop.

In mid-1944, experimentation with these projectiles was carried out near Lake Hamana, in co-operation with many scholars and technicians. Difficult problems appeared in succession, however, requiring resolution, and the bombs could not be put to practical use. Other secret weapons were evaluated with similar results.

Since the war situation was coming to an end before the completion of thermal-ray weapons, IGHQ was obliged to rely upon ramming techniques: Suicide ships or "special-attack" planes which could be easily produced in large numbers. Weapons for decisive combat thus came to mean suicidal expedients.

Another project—this one slightly more successful—was the fire balloon (fūsen bakudan), a paper-enveloped hydrogen balloon carrying a small bomb, which could reach the United States by taking advantage of the jet stream, which the Japanese were the first to discover. For six months starting in November 1944, the Japanese Army's Special Balloon Regiment released balloons (totaling some 9,000). The object was not necessarily to inflict casualties but to damage morale in the U.S. In practice little damage was caused, only six people killed and forest fires started. The Japanese were convinced the campaign did no damage due to the suppression of news of the balloons.

At Japanese Army schools, the students were not very well trained in science and technology. Infantry remained the backbone of the Japanese Army, as in olden days. Spiritual strength was considered to be the primary element in the acquisition of victory.

With the deterioration in the war situation, there was a growing desire within military circles to perfect miraculously effective weapons.

Nevertheless, it became abundantly clear that the low scientific level of the nation could not possibly yield elaborate weapons. Thus, during the course of the war, the gap between the Japanese and the American scientific potential for national defense grew ever wider with the passage of time.

Weaknesses in national science were certainly a major factor in Japan's loss of the war, but poorness and neglect of science were not attributable to the Japanese Army alone. It may well have been because the Japanese adopted principles of makeshift expediency ever since the Meiji era.

The Japanese Army's attitude toward technology incurred many kinds of great criticism from private sources at the time, the major points being the following:
 * The Japanese Army keeps matters tightly secret.
 * Owing to a plethora of research facilities, there is no clear definition of individual responsibility.
 * The right technical experts are not assigned to the right posts, since the Japanese Army's own technicians are put in charge of the units; etc.

Advanced Infantry weapons

 * Rifles:
 * Type 4 rifle
 * Infantry protection:
 * various types of body armor
 * Rocket Antitank launchers:
 * Type 4 70 mm AT Rocket Launcher
 * Type 5 45 mm AT recoilless gun launcher
 * Type 5 45 mm Recoilless Gun

Artillery weapons

 * Experimental 41 cm Howitzer
 * Type 90 24 cm Railway Gun
 * Anti-aircraft cannons:
 * Type10 120 mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
 * Type 3 80 mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
 * Type 3 12 cm AA Gun
 * Type 5 15 cm AA Gun
 * Type 4 20 mm Twin AA Machine Cannon
 * Type 2 20 mm AA Machine Cannon
 * Mortars:
 * Type 2 120 mm Infantry Mortar
 * Rocket Launchers:
 * Experimental 70 mm "Ta-Dan" Rocket Launcher
 * Type 4 Experimental 70 mm Rocket Artillery
 * Experimental 90 mm Rocket Artillery Model 1
 * Experimental 90 mm Rocket Artillery Model 2
 * Experimental 90 mm Rocket Artillery Model 3
 * Experimental 90 mm Airborne Rocket Artillery
 * Type 4 Experimental 200 mm Rocket Artillery
 * Type 100 Bomb Projection Rocket Launcher
 * Type 4 Experimental 200 mm shipboard Rocket Artillery
 * Experimental 200 mm and 240 mm Common Wooden Rocket Launcher Model 1
 * Experimental 200 mm and 240 mm Common Wooden Rocket Launcher Model 3
 * Experimental 200 mm and 240 mm Common Wooden Triple Rocket Launcher
 * Type 4 Experimental 200 mm Wooden Triple Rocket Launcher
 * Type 4 Experimental 240 mm Rocket Artillery
 * Type 4 Experimental 400 mm Rocket Artillery
 * Type 4 Experimental 400 mm Wooden Rocket Artillery
 * 25 mm Rocket Gun
 * 80 mm Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher
 * 100 mm Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher
 * 120 mm Rocket Launcher
 * 120 mm Six-Rocket Launcher
 * 200 mm Rocket Launcher Model 1
 * 200 mm Rocket Launcher Model 2
 * 200 mm Rocket Launcher Model 3
 * 450 mm Heavy Rocket Launcher
 * No. 6 Ground Use Bomb Projection Rocket Launcher Model 11
 * No. 6 Ground Use Bomb Projection Rocket Launcher Model 13
 * Type 3 Rocket Launcher Model 1
 * Type 3 Rocket Launcher Model 2
 * Type 3 Rocket Launcher Model 2 Modify 1
 * Rocket Launchers (carrier-based):
 * 75 mm Blast-Off Rocket Launcher
 * 120 mm Rocket Launcher
 * 120 mm 28-Rocket Launcher
 * 120 mm 30-Rocket Launcher
 * 150 mm Rocket Depth Bomb Launcher

Vessels (Army vessels)

 * Landing Craft Carrier "Shinshu Maru"
 * Landing Craft Carrier Model Ko, Otsu, Hei
 * Tank Landing Ship "SS-Tei" and "SB-Tei"
 * Submarine-chaser "Karo-Tei"
 * Fast Transport Vessel "Yi-Go"
 * Transport Submarine "Maru-Yu"
 * Suicide-Attack Motorboat "Maru-Re"
 * Coastal Defence Motorboat "Maru-ni" – Used in conjunction with the Experimental Manufacture Use 120 kg Depth Charge (2 per boat).
 * Submersible Gun Mount Model 1 – Anti-Landing Craft, 2 man crew, 20mm Type 98 automatic cannon and 200 rounds of ammunition, or 37mm Type 4 ship gun with 60 rounds.
 * Submersible Gun Mount Model 2 – Anti-Landing Craft, 2-3 man crew, 7.5 cm small craft gun.
 * Submersible Pillbox Model 3 – mobile supply carrier/Anti-Landing Craft minelayer (115 mines).

Mass destruction weapons
The Japanese investigated nuclear weapons but progressed no further than laboratory experiments.

Chemical and biological weapons research was carried out by Unit 731, Unit 100, Unit 516 and other similar sections. Some of the unit commanders were prosecuted for war crimes, while others, such as Unit 731, were granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for sharing biological warfare secrets with the American military.

Advanced aircraft and missiles
This section analyzes some advanced types of Army and Navy aircraft:


 * Bombers:
 * Land Based Light/Medium/heavy Bombers:
 * Kawasaki Ki-119 Light Bomber/Escort Fighter
 * Rikugun Kogiken Plan II Light Bomber
 * Rikugun Kogiken Plan III Light Bomber
 * Nakajima Ki-82
 * Rikugun Kogiken Plan VI Heavy Bomber
 * Tachikawa Ki-74 Experimental Long Range Reconnaissance Bomber ("Patsy")
 * Nakajima Ki-85 "Shinzan" ("Liz")
 * Kawasaki Ki-91 Experimental Heavy Bomber
 * Tachikawa Ki-77 A-26 Long Range Experimental Aircraft
 * Mitsubishi G7M1 "Taizan" Ground Bomber
 * Kawanishi Type 17 Experimental Ground Bomber (K-100)
 * Nakajima G8N "Renzan" ("Rita") Heavy Bomber
 * Nakajima G10N1 "Fugaku" Super Heavy Bomber, literally a Japanese equivalent to Germany's Amerika Bomber
 * Kawanishi TB Super Heavy Bomber
 * Kugisho P1Y1 "Ginga" Model 11 ("Frances")
 * Kugisho P1Y3 "Ginga" Model 33
 * Torpedo Bombers:
 * Nakajima B6N Tenzan ("Jill")
 * Aichi B7A "Grace"
 * Aichi B7A2 Ryusei-Kai
 * Dive Bombers:
 * Aichi D4Y3 "Suisei"
 * Kugisho High Speed Long Range Carrier-Based Bomber
 * Seaplanes:
 * Kugisho E14Y Type Zero Model 11 Small Seaplane ("Glen")
 * Kawanishi E15K "Shiun" Model 11 Reconnaissance Seaplane ("Norm")
 * Aichi E16A1 "Zuiun" Model 11 Reconnaissance Seaplane ("Paul")
 * Kawanishi N1K1 ("George")
 * Aichi M6A "Seiran" Special Attack Seaplane
 * Flying Boats:
 * Kawanishi K-60 Heavy Flying Boat ("Mavis")
 * Kawanishi K-120 Heavy Flying Boat
 * Reconnaissance planes:
 * Mitsubishi Ki-46-III Type 100 Model 3 Reconnaissance Aircraft ("Dinah")
 * Mitsubishi Ki-95
 * Kobeseiko Te-Go Reconnaissance Aircraft
 * Rikugun Kogiken Plan IV Modify Reconnaissance Aircraft
 * Nakajima C6N1 "Saiun" Model 11 Reconnaissance Aircraft ("Myrt")
 * Nakajima C6N2 "Saiun-Kai" Reconnaissance Aircraft
 * Kugisho R1Y1 "Seiun" Long Range Reconnaissance Aircraft
 * Kugisho R2Y1 "Keiun" Reconnaissance Aircraft
 * Interceptors/Fighters:
 * Nakajima Ki-87
 * Kawasaki Ki-61 Type 3 Fighter "Hien" ("Tony")
 * Nakajima Ki-62
 * Kawasaki Ki-64 ("Rob")
 * Kawasaki Ki-88
 * Nakajima Ki-84 Type 4 Fighter "Hayate" ("Frank")
 * Kawasaki Ki-96
 * Kawasaki Ki-100-I Type 5 Fighter
 * Mitsubishi A6M Zero Fighter ("Zeke")
 * Mitsubishi A7M2 "''Reppu" Model 11 ("Sam")
 * Kawanishi N1K1-J "Shiden" Model 11 ("Rex")
 * Kawanishi N1K2-J "Shiden" Model 21 "Shiden-kai" ("George")
 * "Shiden" Model 25 "Shiden-kai" Type 5
 * Mitsubishi A7M
 * Mitsubishi J2M "Raiden" ("Jack")
 * Mitsubishi J8M "Shusui" Rocket engine Interceptor
 * Kawanishi J3K1 Type 17 Experimental Interceptor
 * Mitsubishi J4M1 "Senden" Pusher Interceptor ("Luke")
 * Kawanishi J6K1 "Jinpu" Interceptor
 * Kyūshū J7W1 "Shinden" Piston engine Interceptor
 * Kyūshū J7W2 "Shinden-kai" Turbojet Plane Interceptor
 * Kyushu J7W3 "Shinden"
 * Kayaba "Katsuodori" Ramjet Plane Interceptor
 * Mizuno "Shinryū II" Type II Rocket Interceptor


 * Heavy Fighters/land strike planes:
 * Kawasaki Ki-45 Modify-D (Cho) "Toryu" ("Nick")
 * Mitsubishi Ki-83 Long Range Fighter
 * Kawasaki Ki-96
 * Rikugun Kogiken Plan I-A Heavy Fighter
 * Rikugun Kogiken Plan I-B1 Heavy Fighter
 * Tachikawa Ki-94 I
 * Tachikawa Ki-94 II
 * Mansyu Ki-98
 * Kawasaki Ki-102 Hei
 * Kawasaki Ki-108
 * Mitsubishi Ki-109
 * Rikugun Ki-93 Kokukosho
 * Kawasaki Ki-102a/b
 * Kawasaki Ki-102 Otsu ("Randy")
 * Mitsubishi Ki-46 III KAI


 * Jet planes:
 * Nakajima "Toka" Suicide Plane Attacker
 * Nakajima J9Y Kikka Turbojet Interceptor
 * Nakajima "kikka" Prototype Turbojet Special Attacker
 * Nakajima "kikka-kai" Prototype Turbojet Special Attacker
 * Nakajima "kikka" Turbojet Trainer
 * Nakajima Ki-201 "Karyuu" Turbojet Interceptor/Attacker
 * Mitsubishi J8M1 "Shusui" Rocket Interceptor
 * Mitsubishi J8M2 "Shusui" Model 21 Rocket Interceptor
 * Mitsubishi J8M3 "Shusui" Model 22 Rocket Interceptor
 * Mitsubishi Ki-200 "Shusui" Rocket Interceptor
 * Rikugun/Kokukosho/Mitsubishi Ki-202 "Shusui-kai" Rocket Interceptor
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-9 "Shuka" Rocket Interceptor operative train glider with turbojet
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka "Tenga" Twin Turbojet Medium Bomber
 * Kawanishi K-200 Experimental Heavy Turbojet Flying Boat]]
 * Kawanishi "Baika" Mk. I, II, III (Fieseler Fi-103 R derivation) Pulsejet

Suicide Attacker
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY7 "Ohka" Model 11 Suicide Attacker plane
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY7 "Ohka" Model 21 (Baka) Rocket Suicide Attacker
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY7 "Ohka" Model 22 (Baka) Fanjet Suicide Attacker
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY7 "Ohka" Model 33 (Baka) Turbojet Suicide Attacker
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY7 "Ohka" Model 43 Ko (Baka) Turbojet Suicide Attacker
 * Kugisho/Yokoskua MXY7 "Ohka" Model 43 Otsu (Baka) Turbojet Suicide Attacker
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka "Ohka" Model 53 (Baka) Turbojet Suicide Attacker
 * Mizuno "Shinryū" Type I Suicide Attack Rocket Glider
 * Antisubmarine Aircraft:
 * Kyūshū Q1W1 "Tokai" ("Lorna") Anti-Submarine Aircraft
 * Mitsubishi Q2M1 "Taiyō" Anti-Submarine Aircraft
 * Kyūshū Q3W1 "Nankai" Anti-Submarine Aircraft
 * Radar-equipped Bomber devices for maritime reconnaissance:
 * Mitsubishi G3M3 (Model 23) ("Nell")


 * This bomber for long range capacity, in 1943, was used as a Maritime reconnaissance/Radar aircraft for long range missions and some electronic warfare work in the seas.


 * Mitsubishi G4M1 (Model 11/12) ("Betty")


 * From 1942, the G4M of this model was also used for the same purpose as the G3M bomber at maritime long range capacities.


 * Nakajima B5N2/B6N1-2:


 * In 1944, some torpedo bombers of mentioned types used with antisubmarine, radar detection (with finding radar equipment) and similar purposes in maritime short or medium range missions from carriers or land bases.


 * Medium Bomber, with Control Air-To-Air Missile Device:
 * Mitsubishi Ki-67 I KAI Go-IA:


 * This experimental modification were for managed Air-To-Air guided missiles evaluations, during 1944-1945.


 * Guided missiles:
 * Kawasaki Ki-147 I-Go Type1-Ko Air to Surface Radio Guidance Missile
 * Mitsubishi Ki-148 I-Go Type1-Otsu Air to Surface Radio Guidance Missile I-Go Type 1-Hei
 * "Ke-Go" IR Guidance Air to Surface Missile
 * Funryu Type 1 Surface to Air Radio Guidance Missile
 * Funryu Type 2 Surface to Air Radio Guidance Missile
 * Funryu Type 3 Surface to Air Radio Guidance Missile
 * Funryu Type 4 Surface to Air Radio Guidance Missile
 * Night Fighters:
 * Nakajima J1N1 "Gekko" ("Irving")
 * Nakajima J5N1 "Tenrai" Prototype #3
 * Aichi S1A1 "Denkoh"
 * Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIc "Toryu" ("Nick")
 * Kawasaki Ki-102c
 * Mitsubishi Ki-109a/b
 * Mitsubishi A6M5d-S Reisen
 * Nakajima Ki-58
 * Nakajima J1N1 C-KAI (S)
 * Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko
 * Nakajima J1N1-Sa Gekko
 * Nakajima C6N1-S Saiun
 * Yokosuka D4Y2-S Suisei
 * Yokosuka P1Y1-S Biakko
 * Yokosuka P1Y2-S Kyokko
 * Night Strikers:
 * Nakajima Ki-84 I Hayate ("Frank")
 * Nakajima B6N1/2 Tenzan ("Jill")
 * Helicopter/AutoGyro:
 * Special Experimental Helicopter "Re-Go"
 * Kayaba "Ka-Go"
 * Kayaba Ka-1
 * Gliders:
 * Maeda Ku-1-I Type 2 Small Airborne Glider
 * Mizuno "Jinryu" Glider
 * Kayaba Ku-2 Tailless Glider
 * Kayaba Ku-3 Tailless Glider
 * Kayaba Ku-4 Tailless Motor Glider
 * Kayaba Ku-4 Modify Tailless Rocket Glider
 * Maeda Ku-6 Flying Tank
 * Kokusai Ku-7 Airborne Glider (Buzzard)
 * Kokusai Ku-8-II Airborne Glider (Goose)
 * Trainers:
 * Mitsubishi A6M2-K/A6M5-K trainers
 * Yokoi Ku-13 "Akigusa" Rocket Interceptor practice grid (Experimental "Shusui" Light Glider)
 * Kugisho/Yokoi Ki-13 Experimental "Shusui" Heavy Glider
 * Kuugisho/Yokosuka "Ohka" K-1 Suicide Attack Trainer
 * Kuugisho/Yokosuka "Ohka" K-2 Suicide Attack Trainer (or "Ohka" K-1 Modify "Wakazakura")
 * Kyūshū K11W "Shiragiku" Flight Work Trainer
 * Kyūshū Q1W1-K Tokai-Ren Trainer version of Q1W1
 * Aichi M6A1-K "Seiran Kai" (or "Nanzan") Special Attack Seaplane Trainer
 * Aichi H9A1-K
 * Mansyu Ki-79a
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-8 "Akigusa" Rocket Interceptor practice glider (Experimental "Shusui" Light Glider)
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-9 Experimental "Shusui" Heavy Glider
 * Experimental Aircraft:
 * Kawasaki Ki-78 "Ken-3" High Speed Experimental Aircraft
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-1 Aerodynamic Testing Aircraft
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-3
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-4
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-5 Airborne Glider
 * Kugisho/Yokosuka MXY-6 Aerodynamic Testing Motor Glider
 * Carrier Planes:
 * Mitsubishi Ki-97
 * Kokusai Ki-105

Advanced armament and engines

 * Some advanced Rocket and Turbojet Engines:
 * Type 4 1-Go Model 20 Rocket (260 kg)
 * Type 4 1-Go Model20 Rocket (800 kg)
 * Kugisho Hatsukaze 11 (Tsu-11) Fan Jet Engine (180 kg)
 * Kugisho Hatsukaze 11 (Tsu-11) fan jet Engine (200 kg)
 * Ishikawajima Ne-20 Turbojet (475 kg) - developed from plans of the German BMW 003
 * Ishikawajima-Harima Ne-30 Turbojet Engine (850 kg)
 * Ishikawajima-Harima Ne 20-Kai Turbojet (618 kg)
 * Ishikawajima-Harima Ne-130 Turbojet (908 kg)
 * Nakajima Ne-230 Turbojet (885 kg)
 * Mitsubishi Ne-330 Turbojet (1,320 kg)
 * Mitsubishi Tokuro-1 Type 2 Rocket (150 kg)
 * Mitsubishi Tokuro-1 Type3 Rocket (240 kg)
 * Mitsubishi KR10 (Tokuro-2) Rocket (1,500 kg)
 * Mitsubishi Tokuro-3 Rocket (2,000 kg)
 * Maru Ka-10 Pulsejet (300 kg)
 * New Armaments in aircraft (for Rocket and Jet planes):
 * 30 mm Type 5 Machine Gun
 * 13 mm or 20 mm Machine Gun
 * 30 mm Ho155-II Machine Gun
 * 20 mm Ho5 Machine Gun
 * 20 mm Type99 Machine Gun
 * Air-to-Air 30 kg or 60 kg no guided rockets
 * Air-To-Air 30 kg bombs (against enemy bomber formations)

Advanced tanks and armour equipment and captured armors
Armoured fighting vehicles under development before the end of the war.


 * Type 98 Ke-Ni Light Tank
 * Type 1 Medium Tank Chi-He
 * Type 2 Light Tank Ke-To
 * Type 3 Amphibious Tank Ka-Chi
 * Type 3 Medium Tank Chi-Nu
 * Type 4 Medium Tank Chi-To
 * Type 4 Light Tank Ke-Nu
 * Type 5 Medium Tank Chi-Ri
 * Type 1 75 mm Self-propelled howitzer Ho-Ni I
 * Type 1 105 mm Self-propelled howitzer Ho-Ni II
 * Type 2 Gun Tank Ho-I
 * Type 3 Gun Tank Ho-Ni III
 * Type 4 15cm self-propelled gun Ho-Ro - used in the Philippines and Okinawa
 * Short Barrel 120 mm Gun Tank
 * 75 mm Self-propelled Anti-tank Gun Na-To
 * Type 1 Half-Track "Ho-Ha"
 * Type 4 30 cm SP Heavy Mortar Carrier Ha-To
 * 105 mm SP Gun Tank "Ho-Ri"
 * Type 5 47 mm SP Gun "Ho-Ru"
 * Super-Heavy Tank "O-I"
 * Type 1 Ti-Ho Medium Tank
 * Type 2 Medium Tank
 * Type 2 No-Ni Tank Destroyer
 * Type 2 Hoi Infantry Support Tank
 * Type 3 Ke-Ri Light Tank
 * Type 4 120 mm Ho-To SPG
 * Type 5 Mortar Launcher "Tok"
 * 75 mm SPG "Kusae"
 * Experimental Long Barrel 120 mm SPG
 * Experimental Medium Tank Chi-Ni
 * Experimental Medium Tank Chi-Ho
 * Experimental Ultra Heavy Tank
 * Experimental Jiro-Sha Self Propelled Gun
 * Experimental Type 2 Ho-Ri Tank Destroyer
 * Experimental Type 2 105 mm Ka-To Tank Destroyer
 * Experimental Type 2 75 mm Ku-Se SPG
 * Experimental Light Armored ATG Carrier So-To
 * Experimental Type 5 47 mm Ho-Ru SPATG
 * Maeda Ku-6 Flying Tank
 * Experimental Flying Tank Ku-Ro
 * Experimental 75 mm Tank Destroyer Na-To
 * Experimental Light Tank Ke-Ho
 * Experimental 105 mm Tank Destroyer
 * Experimental Type 5 155 mm Ho-Chi SPG
 * Experimental Type 98 SPAAG project
 * Experimental Tank - Number 1
 * Experimental Type 91 Heavy Tank
 * Type 98 AA Halftrack "Ko-Hi"
 * Type 98 APC "Soda"
 * Type 1 Armored Personnel Carrier Ho-Ki
 * Type 95 Heavy Tank
 * Type 97 Chi-Ni
 * Type 97 Shi-Ki Command Tank
 * Type 1 Chi-He Medium Tank
 * Type 1 Artillery Observation Vehicle
 * Type 4 Ke-Hy Light Tank
 * Type 4 155 mm Ho-Ro SPG
 * Special vehicles:
 * Armored Engineer Vehicle "SS"
 * Armored Lumberjack "Ho-K"
 * Type 95 Crane Vehicle "Ri-Ki"
 * Armored Recovery Vehicle "Se-Ri"
 * Swamp Vehicle "FB"
 * Command Tank "Shi-Ki"
 * Type 100 Observation Vehicle "Te-Re"
 * Type 97 Mini Engineer Vehicle "Yi-Go"
 * High-Voltage Dynamo Vehicle "Ka-Ha"
 * Type 97 Pole Planter and Type 97 Cable Lay
 * Type 91 Armored Railroad Car "So-Mo"
 * Type 95 Armored Railroad Car "So-Ki"
 * Chemical/Biological Warfare vehicle:
 * Type 94 Disinfecting Vehicle and Type 94 Gas Scattering Vehicle

Special Weapons technology of local design

 * Remote control special vehicle "I-Go"


 * "I-Go" are the remote control unmanned miniature special vehicles (like the German "Goliath"). This weapon breaks open a passage in an obstacle. And this is controlled, or is destroyed a pillbox, and it does other charge work. I-Go carries an explosive, a smoke pot, and other working tools. Remote control was possible in distances of 1000 m and more.


 * Unmanned Miniature Special Vehicle "Ya-I"
 * Name : Small Work Vehicle Ko
 * Length : 1000 mm
 * Width : 700 mm
 * Height : 500 mm
 * Engine : Electric Motor (2 hp) X 2
 * Max Speed : 18 km/h
 * Range : 0.8 km
 * Armament : 35 kg explosive charge
 * Remote control special working cable car with 90 mm Mortar cannon "Ite-Go"
 * Remote control boat "Isu-Go"


 * This weapon destroys an obstacle on the water and develops a smoke screen by remote control at the time of the crossing big river operations.


 * Rocket cannon "Ro-Go"


 * The cannon ball propelled by gunpowder rocket or a liquid fuel rocket.


 * Engine stop gas device "Ha-Go"


 * This project was canceled.


 * Radio Jammer "Ho-Go"
 * Electric cannon "To-Go"


 * A research project to develop a gun to give a shell high initial velocity and long range through electromagnetic power. Project was canceled.


 * Ultrashort waves application research "Chi-Go"
 * High Voltage Weapon "Ka-Go"
 * High voltage obstacle destruction device "Kaha-Go"
 * High voltage wire obstacles "Kake-Go"
 * High voltage net launching rocket "Kate-Go"


 * This is a rocket weapon which is connected to a length of piano wire. After launching, it expands over the enemy's head, and applies a high voltage to the piano wire. The voltage was from 2,500-5,000 V. But the launching distance is short. The development of the net was also difficult. The project was canceled.


 * Infrared rays detection device "Ne-Go"


 * This is the research of detecting the infrared rays which are generated from the engine. Aircraft were sensed by 7000 m, and they could be complemented by 3000 m. The project was canceled by the development of radar.


 * The mine detection sonar for the landing operations "Ra-Go"
 * Radio control device "Mu-Go"
 * The radio control boat equipped with sonar and a depth bomb were carried on "Musu-Go"
 * A plan to make artificial thunderclouds gather called "U-Go"


 * U-go planned to use a powdered dust explosion to create thunderclouds. The project was canceled.


 * Noctovision equipment "No-Go"
 * Death ray "Ku-Go"


 * Ku-go aimed to employ microwaves created in a large magnetron.


 * Infrared rays Homing Bomb "Ke-Go"
 * Balloon bomb "Fu-Go"
 * Balloon Diameter : about 10 m
 * Bomb loaded : 150 kg Bomb X 1,
 * Incendiary bomb X 2
 * The Japanese army built balloon bombs to attack the American mainland. A little more than 9,000 of these balloons were launched. It is estimated about 1,000 made it to the U.S. Only six confirmed deaths are attributed to one these bombs: a woman and five children near Lakeview, Oregon, were killed when the bomb exploded as they attempted to move it.


 * Optical communication device "Ko-Go"
 * Rope launching rocket "Te-Go"
 * Blind ray "Ki-Go"
 * Electronic propaganda device "Se-Go"
 * Sonar device "Su-Go"
 * Experimental Armour for Mobile MG-gunner
 * Length : 1330 mm
 * Width : 890 mm
 * Height : 640 mm
 * Weight : 153 kg (Heavy Type), 122 kg (Light Type)
 * Crew : 1
 * Armament : Type 96 Light Machine Gun X 1
 * Nuclear projects "Mishina" & "F-Go"
 * The Suicide Attack Frogman "Fukuryuu"
 * Sen-Toku Giant Undersea carrier Submarine I-400 Class
 * Sen Ho Type Submarine I-351 Class
 * Sen Taka Type Submarine I-201 Class
 * Type A2 Type Submarine I-12 Class
 * Type A1 Submarine I-9 Class
 * Type AM Submarine I-13 Class
 * Type B1 Submarine I-15 Class
 * Type B2 Submarine I-40 Class
 * Type B3 Submarine I-54 Class
 * Type D2 Submarine I-373 Class
 * Type D1 Submarine I-361 Class
 * Type KRS Submarine I-21 Class
 * Type C2 Submarine I-46 Class
 * Giant Superbattleship project of the new "Yamato" Class.
 * Plans for developed short and long range Missiles:


 * Is over some projects why developed to missile level certain prototypes of Fieseler Fi-103 and suppose any example of V-2, for convert at this in guided missile with nuclear, chemical or biological warhead. Are one alternative weapon for envoyed nuclear artifact against the United States, but these projects did not advance past the theory or planning stages before the finish of the war.

Electronic Radar Warfare

 * Japanese Army Electronic Warfare System
 * Ground-Based Radar
 * Ta-Chi 1 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 1
 * Ta-Chi 2 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 2
 * Ta-Chi 3 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 3
 * ''Ta-Chi' 4 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 4
 * Type A Bi-static Doppler Interface Detector (High Frequency Warning Device "Ko")
 * Ta-Chi' 6 Type B Fixed Early Warning Device (Fixed Early Warning Device "Otsu")
 * Ta-Chi 7 Type B Mobile Early Warning Device (Mobile Early Warning Device "Otsu")
 * Ta-Chi 13 Aircraft Guidance System
 * Ta-Chi 18 Type B Potable Early Warning Device (Portable Early Warning Device "Otsu")
 * Ta-Chi 20 Fixed Early Warning Device Receiver (for Ta-Chi 6)
 * Ta-Chi 24 Mobil Anti-Aircraft Radar (Japanese Würzburg)
 * Ta-Chi 28 Aircraft Guidance Device
 * Ta-Chi 31 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 4 Modify-Airborne Radar
 * Ta-Ki 1 Model 1 Airborne Surveillance Radar
 * Ta-Ki 1 Model 2 Airborne Surveillance Radar
 * Ta-Ki 1 Model 3 Airborne Surveillance Radar
 * Ta-Ki 11 ECM Device
 * Ta-Ki 15 Aircraft Guidance Device Receiver (for Ta-Chi 13)
 * Shipborne Radar
 * Ta-Se 1 Anti-Surface Radar
 * Ta-Se 2 Anti-Surface Radar
 * Imperial Japanese Navy Electronic Warfare System
 * Land-Based Radar
 * Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 Modify 1 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Model 1 Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 Modify 2 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Model 2 Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 Modify 3 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Model 3 Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 Mobil Early Warning Radar ("12-Go" Mobil Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 Modify 2 Mobil Early Warning Radar ("12-Go" Modify 2 Mobil Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 Modify 3 Mobil Early Warning Radar ("12-Go" Modify 3 Mobil Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 3 Mark 1 Model 1 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Modify Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 3 Mark 1 Model 3 Small Size Early Warning Radar ("13-Go" Small Size Early Warning Radar)
 * Type 3 Mark 1 Model 4 Long-Range Air Search Radar ("14-Go" Long-Range Air Search Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 4 Model 1 Anti-aircraft Fire-Control Radar (Japanese SCR-268) (S3 Anti-aircraft Fire-Control Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 4 Model 2 Anti-aircraft Fire-Control Radar (Japanese SCR-268) (S24 Anti-aircraft Fire-Control Radar)
 * Airborne Radar
 * Type 3 Air Mark 6 Model 4 Airborne Ship-Search Radar (H6 Airborne Ship-Search Radar) (N6 Airborne Ship-Search Radar)
 * Type 5 Model 1 Radio Location Night Vision Device
 * Shipborne Radar
 * Type 2 Mark 2 Model 1 Air Search Radar ("21-Go" Air Search Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 2 Model 2 Modify 3 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar for Submarine ("21-Go" Modify 3 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 2 Model 2 Modify 4 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar for Ship ("21-Go" Modify 4 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 3 Model 1 Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar ("31-Go" Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 3 Model 2 Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar ("32-Go" Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar)
 * Type 2 Mark 3 Model 3 Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar ("33-Go" Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar)