The tank is a Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go Light Tank replica which was transferred from the NPO Defense Technology Museum in Gotemba, Japan.
It arrived in the company of representatives from the Japanese government as well as the gifting museum.
The Type 95 Ha-Go tank was known for its ability to navigate the dense terrains of Pacific islands, and this replica was used in the HBO mini-series The Pacific.
The tank was shipped to the port of Houston, then put on a truck to make its final journey to the NMPW Pacific Combat Zone.
Yoshiro Kishida, a Japanese government official, along with a mechanic, a driver, and with their translator arrived with the tank. The trio of Japanese men conducted training over the next two days to ensure that the Museum’s team could operate and maintain the vehicle.
The Ha-Go was the most produced Japanese tank of the period. It was planned to be used in the infantry support role and to keep pace with infantry attacks and breakthroughs.
It had a three-man crew and was armed with a 37mm Type 98 gun and a couple of 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns. It first saw action against the Chinese and was successful against light opposition, which had no real anti-tank defense.
In 1939, they were used against the Soviets in Manchuria and caught the Russian by surprise by utilizing their speed to get close to the Soviet positions. They took part in the conquest on Malaya, Burma and the Philippines in 1941-42.
This arrival comes ahead of the scheduled repatriation of a Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium Tank from NMPW to the same Japanese museum which should happen in November.
The decision to transfer the Type 97 Chi-Ha back to Japan was made after extensive discussions between NMPW and the NPO Defense Technology Museum.
Earlier this year, representatives from the Japanese museum, their government and military met with NMPW and Texas Historical Commission officials to finalize the agreement.
The Museum looks forward to integrating the working Type 95 Ha-Go into their educational and living history programs, which will enhance the experience they are able to offer visitors.
