Since the successful Siege of Port Arthur, during the Russo-Japanese War heavy howitzer development had taken high priority.
 The Imperial Japanese Army's Armstrong designed 28 cm howitzer L/10 had been instrumental in destroying Port Arthur's defenses and sinking the fleet anchored in its harbor.
 This resulted in the development of several siege guns, which could be also be used as siege and coastal defense guns.
 The first was the Type 45 24 cm Howitzer which weighed 38 t (37 long tons; 42 short tons) and required a crew of 50 men two days to set up.
 The second was the Type 7 30 cm howitzer which was introduced in 1918.
 The short barreled version weighed 59 t (58 long tons; 65 short tons) while the long barreled version weighed 97 t (95 long tons; 107 short tons).
 Although both were powerful weapons their weight was considered excessive and this negatively affected their mobility.
 Although satisfied with both designs two new guns were ordered during 1936, the Type 96 15 cm howitzer and the Type 96 24 cm howitzer.
 Both were lighter and more mobile than their predecessors but while the Type 96 15 cm was successful the Type 96 24 cm was a failure due to excessive shot dispersion and inconsistent range which were never resolved.
 Therefore only eight Type 96 24 cm howitzers were built.
 For transport, the Type 96 24 cm howitzer, could be broken down into four loads and towed by tractors.
 Once onsite, a turntable was assembled and firmly anchored to the ground.
 The gun was then mounted on the turntable and had 120° of traverse and +65° of elevation.
Since the successful Siege of Port Arthur, during the Russo-Japanese War heavy howitzer development had taken high priority.  The Imperial Japanese Army's Armstrong designed 28 cm howitzer L/10 had been instrumental in destroying Port Arthur's defenses and sinking the fleet anchored in its harbor.  This resulted in the development of several siege guns, which could be also be used as siege and coastal defense guns.  The first was the Type 45 24 cm Howitzer which weighed 38 t (37 long tons; 42 short tons) and required a crew of 50 men two days to set up.  The second was the Type 7 30 cm howitzer which was introduced in 1918.  The short barreled version weighed 59 t (58 long tons; 65 short tons) while the long barreled version weighed 97 t (95 long tons; 107 short tons).  Although both were powerful weapons their weight was considered excessive and this negatively affected their mobility.  Although satisfied with both designs two new guns were ordered during 1936, the Type 96 15 cm howitzer and the Type 96 24 cm howitzer.  Both were lighter and more mobile than their predecessors but while the Type 96 15 cm was successful the Type 96 24 cm was a failure due to excessive shot dispersion and inconsistent range which were never resolved.  Therefore only eight Type 96 24 cm howitzers were built.  For transport, the Type 96 24 cm howitzer, could be broken down into four loads and towed by tractors.  Once onsite, a turntable was assembled and firmly anchored to the ground.  The gun was then mounted on the turntable and had 120° of traverse and +65° of elevation.
Type 96 24 cm howitzer