:Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck

The first production of the Type 73, known as the {{Nihongo|Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck (Kyū)|73式小型トラック (旧)|73-shiki kogata torakku (kyū)}} was based on the Jeep CJ-3Bs that Mitsubishi Motors had been producing under license from Willys. The first Type 73 Kyūs had been placed into production in 1973{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183651/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73track-so/t73track-so.html|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73track-so/t73track-so.html|title=73式小型トラック（J23・J24型）|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archivedate=2012-03-09}} with the chassis of the Jeep CJ-3B for basis before they made modifications based on it to create the Mitsubishi CJ-3B-J4 and the Mitsubishi CJ-3B-J4C before it was replaced again by producing the Mitsubishi CJ-5A-J54.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328050758/http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/Military/MitsubishiJ4.html|url=http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/Military/MitsubishiJ4.html|title=CJ3B-J4 Military Jeeps|accessdate=2008-08-18|archivedate=2012-03-28}} Both gasoline and diesel variants were produced and a total over 200,000 units were made. Production continued on before it ended in 1997 after the Type 73 light trucks Shin were placed in production by 1996.{{cite web|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73track-sn/t73truck-n.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183637/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73track-sn/t73truck-n.html|title=1/2tトラック（73式小型トラック・V16型）|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archivedate=2012-03-09}}

The Kyūs had been exported out of Japan, mostly declared as military surplus vehicles to the Philippines and South Vietnam with the latter using it as one of the main jeeps of the ARVN, next to the Willys M606, M38A1 and M151A1 during the course of the Vietnam War.{{cite web|url=http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/Military/Vietnam.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401043418/http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/Military/Vietnam.html|title=CJ3B-J4 Military Jeeps in Vietnam|accessdate=2008-08-18|archivedate=2010-04-01}}{{cite book|last=Mesko|first=Jim|title=Armor in Vietnam, A Pictorial History. In Action Series 6033|page=67|publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications|year=1982|isbn=9780897471268}} They have also been exported to New Zealand for civilian use.

File:Type73-track.jpg|A closeup of the transmission shifter used in a Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Kyū.

File:JGSDF Type73 Light Truck rear interior.jpg|A view of the Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Kyū as used by JGSDF MP officers. Note the mounted radio at the rear of the vehicle.

File:JGSDF Type73 Light Truck rear.jpg|The side and rear portion of the Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Kyū as used by JGSDF MP officers.

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{{Infobox weapon

| name = Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck ShinThe Shin (新) designation is given to differentiate Type 73 light trucks made after 1997 to the present.
1/2 ton truck

| image = JGSDF Type 73 Light truck , 陸上自衛隊 73式 小型トラック - panoramio.jpg

| image_size = 300

| caption = A JGSDF Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Shin.

| type = Mid-size off road vehicle

| origin = Japan

| is_vehicle = yes

| service = 1996–present

| wars =

| design_date =

| manufacturer = Mitsubishi Motors

| production_date = 1996–present

| number =

| variants =

| spec_label =

| weight = {{convert|1940|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}

| length = {{convert|4140|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|1765|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|1970|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| engine = Water-cooled 4-cycle, 4-cylinder diesel engine 4M40 (1996-2013), 4N15 (2014-) 125 HP

| engine_power =

| transmission = 4-speed automatic transmission

| payload_capacity =

| suspension =

| clearance =

| fuel_capacity =

| vehicle_range =

| speed =

}}

The {{Nihongo|Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck (Shin)|73式小型トラック (新)|73-shiki kogata torakku (shin)}} began production in 1996 as Mitsubishi Motors began to slowly phase out the Type 73 light trucks Kyū from production and from selective service in the JSDF, using the frame of the Mitsubishi Pajero as a basis.

The Type 73 light truck Shin can be mounted with various heavy machine guns and anti-tank missile launchers. But like its predecessor, the Shin light truck can mount Sumitomo M2 machine guns and, for the first time, the Sumitomo MINIMI light machine gun.

When Shin light trucks were deployed to Iraq as part of the JIRSG, the vehicles were bulletproofed{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220060035/http://www.mod.go.jp/j/procurement/tekiseika/pdf/koueki/h17-mod-03.pdf|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/procurement/tekiseika/pdf/koueki/h17-mod-03.pdf|script-title=ja:平成17年度所管公益法人等との間で締結された随意契約の緊急点検結果等について（防衛省）|language=Japanese|accessdate=2010-01-10|archivedate=2013-02-20 }} due to concerns that Iraqi guerrillas would target their vehicles to provoke JSDF troops who, under the restrictions of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, are not supposed to participate in any kind of offensive combat operations.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/japans-about-face/introduction/746/ |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130615203853/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/japans-about-face/introduction/746/ |title=Japan's About-Face |date=2011-06-11 |accessdate=2013-06-15 |archivedate=2013-06-15 |publisher=Public Broadcasting System |url-status=dead }}

File:JGSDF 73 Kogata Truck (MITSUBISHII) 4.jpg|Transmission sticks inside a Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Shin. On the left is the shifter for the automatic transmission, and on the right is the shifter for the transfer case (2WD L & H, 4WD L & H).

File:JGSDF 73 Kogata Truck (MITSUBISHII) 3.jpg|Instrument panel

File:Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck.jpg|The side and rear of the Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Shin.

File:JGSDF Type73 Kogata Truck (camouflage) 20100110.JPG|A Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Shin outfitted with a M2 heavy machine gun and camouflage at Camp Narashino.

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File:Type 73 front comparisons.JPG

Both Kyū and Shin light truck vehicles can be outfitted with various weapon systems such as Kawasaki Type 64 anti-tank pods,{{cite web|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type64mat/type64mat.html|script-title=ja:64式 対戦車誘導弾|accessdate=2009-11-04|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107143459/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type64mat/type64mat.html|archive-date=2009-01-07|url-status=dead}} Kawasaki Type 79{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183616/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type64mat/type64mat.html|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type79mat/t79mat.html|script-title=ja:79式 対舟艇対戦車誘導弾|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archivedate=2012-03-09}} and Kawasaki Type 87 anti-tank missile launchers,{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183753/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type87mat/t87mat.html|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type87mat/t87mat.html|script-title=ja:87式 対戦車誘導弾|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archivedate=2012-03-09}} Japan Steel Works Type 60 recoilless rifles,{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183725/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type60-106mm-rcl/type60-106mm-rcl.html|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type60-106mm-rcl/type60-106mm-rcl.html|title=60式 106mm無反動砲|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archivedate=2012-03-09}} Sumitomo MINIMI LMGs{{cite web|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73truck-s/type73truck-s.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183714/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73truck-s/type73truck-s.html|title=1/2tトラック（73式小型トラック／偵察用）|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archivedate=2012-03-09}} and Sumitomo M2 machine guns{{cite web|url=http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/World/JapanMilitary.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329145935/http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/World/JapanMilitary.html|title=Mitsubishi Military Jeep Photos|accessdate=2008-08-18|archivedate=2010-03-29}} to make them both a mobile anti-tank and anti-personnel vehicle.

Both light truck variants have the tarpaulin roof cover mounts at the rear as an option.{{cite web|url=http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/report/vehicle/type-73-old-kogata.html |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616042146/http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/report/vehicle/type-73-old-kogata.html |script-title=ja:旧・73式小型トラック 長きに渡り隊員に親しまれた通称「ジープ」 |language=Japanese |accessdate=2013-06-15 |archivedate=2013-06-16 |publisher=Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.jp/aobamil/shasin/73kotora/73kotora.html |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616040740/http://www.geocities.jp/aobamil/shasin/73kotora/73kotora.html |script-title=ja:73式小型トラック 旧・新 |language=Japanese |accessdate=2013-06-15 |archivedate=2013-06-16 |url-status=dead }} They also have rear seats that can be folded up when they are not needed. Air conditioning is installed as a standard feature on the Shin variant.

The base Kyu models for personnel and light cargo transport were designated J24A, J25A and J23A.

The'A2' versions carried a wireless communications system Type 3. 'P' versions carried a recoil-less rifle, 'K' versions an anti-tank guided missile launcher Type 87. 'G-E' and 'G-N' versions carried a Type 79 guided missile launcher for either anti-tank or anti-landing craft use. 'SR' versions carried a radar system and had jacks to stabilize the vehicle. The 'SH' version carried an orientation system while the 'SC' version carried a communication relay system. 'SR, 'SH' and 'SC' versions were all equipped with winches. Small numbers were produced with small megaphones, roof-mounted single beacons and grille flashers.{{cite web|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73truck-somp/t73truck-somp.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183629/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73truck-somp/t73truck-somp.html|title=73式 小型トラック（J23A・J25A型）警務隊用|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archivedate=2012-03-09}}{{cite web|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73truck-snmp/t73truck-snmp.html|title=1/2tトラック（73式小型トラック・V16型）警務用|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-11-04|archive-date=2018-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626210949/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73truck-snmp/t73truck-snmp.html|url-status=dead}}

Light trucks painted in white were exclusively used by JSDF military police units.{{cite web|url=http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/report/vehicle/type-73-new-pajero.html |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616042258/http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/report/vehicle/type-73-new-pajero.html |script-title=ja:新73式小型トラック |language=Japanese |accessdate=2013-06-15 |archivedate=2013-06-16 |publisher=Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces |url-status=dead }}

• {{flag|Japan}}: Currently using the Shin light trucks in the JGSDF. Kyū light trucks have been decommissioned from some frontline units, though many are still in service.
• {{flag|Philippines}}: Kyū trucks used as surplus vehicles by the Philippine Army.
• {{flag|Thailand}}: Used by Royal Thai Army.{{cite web | title=A motorcade of Royal Thai Army, Mitsubishi (4x4)| url=https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-motorcade-of-royal-thai-army-mitsubishi-4x4-light-vehicles-carrying-royal-08ca26 | work=nara.getarchive.net | date=25 March 2023 | access-date=25 March 2023}}{{better source needed|date=April 2023}}
• {{flag|Ukraine}}: Shin trucks being provided as military assistance in May 2023.{{cite web | url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/japan-ground-self-defense-force-to-provide-ukraine-with-100-transport-vehicles/ | title=Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to Provide Ukraine with 100 Transport Vehicles }} In December 2023, the first Shin trucks have arrived in Ukraine.https://web.archive.org/web/20240103101219/https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2024_global_security_army_industry/japan_delivers_type_73_light_tactical_vehicles_and_morooka_tracked_carrier_to_ukraine.html {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

• {{flag|South Vietnam}} - Formerly used by the ARVN.

{{reflist}}

• Kenkyusha's New Japanese-English Dictionary, Kenkyusha Limited, Tokyo 1991, {{ISBN|4-7674-2015-6}}

{{commons|Category:Type 73 kogata truck|Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Kyū}}

{{commons|Category:Type 73 truck (JGSDF, 1996)|Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Shin}}

• [https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/equipment/index.html#/detail/1/1_7/ Official JGSDF Page.]

{{Mitsubishi Motors vehicles}}

Category:Military light utility vehicles

Category:Cold War military equipment of Japan

Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles

Type 73 Light Truck

Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s

Category:Military vehicles of Japan