[1] This was authorized by Minister of War Ugaki Kazushige as part of a cost-saving measure during the Kato Takaaki administration, together with the 13th, 15th and 18th divisions.

[1] At this time, it was formed as a triangular division as part of the general military buildup after the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

During the Pacific War, the 17th Division's main combat elements included the 53rd, 54th and 81st Infantry Regiments.

[5] Approximately one-third of the 17th Division's forces (the HQ staff and IJA 81st Infantry Regiment) were stationed on neighboring Bougainville Island, where they were transformed into the 38th Independent Mixed Brigade in July 1944.

At the end of battle the division was reduced to the couple of the independent mixed regiments guarding hospital areas.