Its responsibility is the defense of North Hokkaidō against potential conflicts, mostly from Russia.

As of 1987 it consisted of a headquarters, headquarters company, 7 regiments (3 armor, 1 motorized infantry, 1 artillery, 1 air defense artillery and 1 logistical support regiment), and 3 battalions (namely Reconnaissance, Combat Engineer, and Signals).

The artillery regiment contained 4 155-mm self-propelled howitzer battalions (10 guns in each).

In all, the armored division had about 6,500 men, 230 tanks, about 350 Type 89 and Type 73 armored personnel carriers, 40 self-propelled howitzers, 48 mortars (81-mm and larger), 40 35- and 40-mm self-propelled air defense systems, along with other armament and support systems, making it the most well-armed Japanese division.

In the field, the division task organizes these elements into combined arms "combat teams".