Japanese Twelfth Area Army
The  was a field army of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

History
The Japanese 12th Area Army was formed on February 2, 1945 under the First General Army as part of the last desperate defense effort by the Empire of Japan to deter possible landings of Allied forces in central Honshū during Operation Downfall (or  in Japanese terminology). The Japanese 12th Area Army was responsible for the Kantō region of Japan and was headquartered in Tokyo.

It consisted mostly of poorly trained reservists, conscripted students and home guard militia. In addition, the Japanese had organized the Volunteer Fighting Corps — which included all healthy men aged 15–60 and women 17–40 — to perform combat support, and ultimately combat jobs.  Weapons, training, and uniforms were generally lacking: some men were armed with nothing better than muzzle-loading muskets, longbows, or bamboo spears; nevertheless, they were expected to make do with what they had.

The 12th Area Army was demobilized at the surrender of Japan on  September 2, 1945 without having seen combat.

List of Commanders

Commanding officer

Chief of Staff

References

Books

External links

Notes 

12
Military units and formations established in 1945
Military units and formations disestablished in 1945