23rd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
| 23rd Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1938–1945 |
| Country | Empire of Japan |
| Branch | Imperial Japanese Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Kumamoto, Japan |
| Nickname(s) | Sunrise Division |
| Engagements | Battle of Khalkhin Gol (Battle of Nomonhan) Pacific War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Michitarō Komatsubara, Kōtoku Satō Masakichi Inoue |
The 23rd Division (第23師団, Dai-nijūsan Shidan) was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call-sign was the Sunrise Division (旭兵団, Kyokuhei-dan). The 23rd Division was formed in Kumamoto on 4 April 1938, on the same day as 15th, 17th, 21st and 22nd divisions, as part of the military build-up following the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The first divisional commander was Michitarō Komatsubara.