54 of Type II[1] The Type 1 gun tank Ho-Ni I (一式砲戦車 ホニ I, Isshiki ho-sensha Ho-Ni I) was a tank destroyer and self-propelled artillery developed by the Imperial Japanese Army for use during World War II in the Pacific theater.

The production model that followed had a larger fighting compartment due to enlarged side armor plates.

[1][6] The design had no provision for a defensive machine gun, which together with the open structure made it vulnerable in close combat.

It mounted a Type 91 105 mm howitzer and had a slightly changed superstructure as far as the design of the side armor with re-positioned observation visors.

However, like the rest of the Japanese armor of the 2nd Tank Division, they were defeated in action against superior US Army forces.

[12][13] In addition, the Type 1 Ho-Ni were not available in sufficient numbers to make an impact on the Battle of the Philippines.

[1] Most of the Ho-Ni units were retained within the Japanese home islands to form part of the defenses against the projected American invasion, and did not see combat before the surrender of Japan.