Brigade - Ryodan (English spelling) brigade

A unit in the Army organizational system, generally positioned between a division and a regiment. In the JGSDF, brigades, regiments, and mixed regiments are roughly equivalent organizations. They are usually commanded by a major general (lieutenant general), brigadier general, or colonel. In recent years, there are many organizational structures that reduce the number of connections from the old division-brigade-regiment-battalion-company structure to division-brigade-battalion-company, division-regiment-company, brigade-regiment-company, brigade-battalion-company, and brigade-battalion-company. Examples include infantry brigades, artillery (special forces) brigades, tank brigades, engineer (construction) brigades, and airborne brigades. Since 1996, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has maintained its mobile operation unit structure based on one armored division, one airborne brigade, and one helicopter brigade, but has gradually transitioned from its peacetime regional deployment unit structure based on 12 divisions and two mixed brigades (Okinawa and Shikoku) to a new structure based on eight divisions and six brigades, due to post-Cold War defense force reviews, including a decline in the age-matching population. The newly reorganized brigades, including some brigades with improved air mobility, are multi-purpose operational units equivalent to divisions under regional commands.

[Toshio Nakayama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

陸軍編制上の一単位で、一般に師団と連隊の中間に位置する部隊。陸上自衛隊では旅団、団、混成団がほぼ同格の組織である。通常、少将（陸将補）か准将、大佐によって指揮される。近年、かつての師団―旅団―連隊―大隊―中隊から、師団―旅団―大隊―中隊や師団―連隊―中隊、旅団―連隊―中隊、旅団―大隊―中隊などと結節を減らす編制が多い。歩兵旅団、砲兵（特科）旅団、戦車旅団、工兵（施設）旅団、空挺(くうてい)旅団などがある。陸上自衛隊は1996年度（平成8年度）以降、適齢人口減など冷戦後の防衛力見直しにより、1個機甲師団・1個空挺団・1個ヘリコプター団基幹の機動運用部隊の体制は維持しつつ、12個師団・2個混成団（沖縄と四国）基幹の平時地域配備部隊の体制は8個師団・6個旅団基幹の新体制へと逐次移行している。一部の空中機動性を高めた旅団を含め、新しい改編旅団は、方面隊の下で、師団に準ずる諸職種連合の作戦部隊である。

［中山敏雄］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例