In 1940, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force ordered the Nippon Kokusai Koku Kogyo to produce an artillery spotting and liaison aircraft.

The resulting Ki-76 was inspired by, and similar to, the German Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch", although not a direct copy.

First flying in May 1941, the Ki-76 proved successful when evaluated against an example of the Fi-156 and was ordered into production as the Army Type 3 Command Liaison Plane in November 1942.

[2] The Ki-76 remained in service as an artillery spotter and liaison aircraft until the end of the War.

Ki-76s were also used as anti-submarine aircraft, operating from the Japanese Army's escort carrier, the Akitsu Maru, being fitted with an arrestor hook and carrying two 60 kg (132 lb) depth charges.