{rollo}Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was the company in charge for the development of the very first tank designed in and for Japan after the WWII's end. The japanese Type 61 has more than superficial similarity with the US M-47, one of them transfered to Japan for studies. Japanese experts considered it not satisfying for the medium height of the Japanese soldiers, but these same experts seem have taken some pictures of the M47. In 1962 already Japan had produced 560 of this vehicles for the Japanese Ground Self-Defence force. Nowadays is being replaced for the new Type 90 MBT.
The Type 61 standard equipment does not include NBC, fire control, or stabilised main armament systems. Also, is very defficient by todays needs in the battlefield, because its thin armour, low speed, and regular punch.
