The Type 74 (74式戦車, nana-yon-shiki-sensha) was a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

It was based on the best features of a number of contemporary designs, placing it in the same class as the US M60 Patton or German Leopard 1.

Features from several designs were incorporated, including the controllable suspension of the US-German MBT-70 project, the hull of the Leopard 1, and a similar 105mm gun.

Japan only produced the barrel under license, developing an indigenous gun mantlet, breech and recoil system.

Initially, the main gun only used APDS (Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot) and HEP (High Explosive Plastic) as its primary ammunition.

Later it was modified to fire APFSDS (Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) and HEAT-MP (High-Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose) shells as well.

The Type 74 tank is powered by the Mitsubishi 10ZF Model 21 10-cylinder two-stroke cycle diesel engine providing 750 hp (560 kW).

Starting in April 2019, the Ministry of Defense enacted the Medium-Term Development Defense Plan (31中期防), which involved the retirement of Type 74 main battle tanks in service, to be replaced by the newer Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle.

At the same time, official tank units based on the main land of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku would be disbanded and replaced by new mobility-based combat units, in the form of a Rapid Deployment Regiment or Reconnaissance Combat Battalion, with the Infantry-based Divisions and Brigades to feature one of either.

As of March 17, 2022, the disbandment of the 1st Division's 1st Tank Battalion of the Eastern Army has been the most recent change to the armored formation of the JGSDF.