Following "the Experimental Tank Number 1":[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%A9%A6%E8%A3%BD1%E5%8F%B7%E6%88%A6%E8%BB%8A], which was the first [[tank]] to be domestically produced in Japan, the Type 89 medium tank was Japan's first domestically mass-produced tank. 

Although the experimental model completed in 1929 (year 25[b]89[/b] of the imperial dating system) was designated as a light tank, its classification soon changed to that of medium tank due to an increase in weight brought about by early modifications. 

The tank was divided into two subtypes, the Kou-gata (subtype-A), which was mounted with a water cooled gasoline engine, and the Otsu-gata (subtype-B), mounted with an air cooled diesel engine. The tank's chassis shape, undergoing repeated modifications, can broadly be divided into 4 different types. The majority types were equipped with an unditching tail (In actuality it was mostly used as a storing shelf.) 

Although the I-gou was a successful vehicle, its low horsepower and mobility prompted the development of the [[Type 95 Ha-Gou]]. It was, moreover, widely inferior to both the Soviet BT-5 and T-26 [i]light[/i] tanks used in "the battle of Khalkin Gol":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Khalkhin_Gol and the American [[M3 Stuart]] [i]light[/i] tanks used during the invasion of the Philippines. 

h4. See also

* [[List of Ground Vehicles]]

h4. External Links

* "Wikipedia: Type 89 I-Gou":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_89_I-Go
八九式中戦車 八九式中戦車_イ号 89式中戦車