In 1954, the reorganization of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) began, with the aim of equipping the army with new tanks. In 1961, under the designation Type 61, the first postwar Japanese tank was officially adopted. Its production continued until 1975, with a total of 560 units built.

The Type 61 is armed with a 90 mm gun, paired with a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Its ammunition load includes armor-piercing, high-explosive, shaped-charge, and smoke rounds. For protection against aerial threats, the tank is fitted with a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. Additional equipment includes smoke grenade launchers and an infrared searchlight, enabling combat operations under low-light conditions.