161st Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

The 161st Division (161師団, ''Hyakurokujūichi Shidan'') was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was formed on March 16, 1945, relatively late in World War II, as part of Japan's mobilization efforts against the anticipated Allied invasion of the Japanese home islands. Unlike many earlier divisions, it was formed with a significantly reduced strength and equipment compared to pre-war standards due to resource limitations and the increasingly desperate situation facing Japan.

The division was primarily composed of conscripts and reservists, often lacking extensive combat experience. Its organization reflected the scarcity of resources, with a smaller number of artillery and support units than typical divisions of the IJA. Its training period was necessarily abbreviated due to the urgency of its formation.

The 161st Division was assigned to the defense of the Kyushu region, where it was intended to contribute to the overall defensive posture against a potential Allied landing. However, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the subsequent Soviet declaration of war, led to the surrender of Japan before the division saw significant combat action. Therefore, its combat record remains extremely limited, if not entirely nonexistent. Post-surrender, the division was demobilized. Detailed records regarding its specific deployment locations, command structure, and casualty figures remain sparse and difficult to access.