The is the only active artillery brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The brigade is subordinated to the Northern Army and is headquartered in Chitose, Hokkaidō. Its responsibility is the defense of Hokkaidō. Organization 1st Artillery Brigade, in Chitose 1st Artillery Brigade HQ, in Chitose 1st Artillery Regiment (Mechanized), in Chitose 101st Artillery Battalion, in Bihoro, with three batteries of M110 203mm Howitzers 102nd Artillery Battalion, with three batteries of M110 203mm Howitzers 129th Artillery Battalion, with three batteries of M270 Multiple Rocket Launchers 4th Artillery Regiment (Mechanized), in Kamifurano 104th Artillery Battalion, with three batteries of M110 203mm Howitzers 132nd Artillery Battalion, with three batteries of M270 Multiple Rocket Launchers 1st Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiment, in Chitose, with four batteries of Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missiles 2nd Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiment, in Bibai, with four batteries of Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missiles 3rd Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiment, in Kamifurano, with four batteries of Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missiles 301st Observation Battery, in Chitose External links Homepage 1st Artillery Brigade (Japanese) Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Brigade Military units and formations established in 1952