One advantage they have that no other faction has in the game is the knee mortar detachment, and yes being able to target 3 different units at a time really is a sort of mini mobile multi launcher in a round about way. There is really only 2 good tanks they have that being the Type 3 Chi -Nu then the Type 1 Chi - He. As they are the only ones with a DV of 9 all the rest are a DV of 8 and even 7. There is also all of the Type 1 and 3's didn't see combat as they was being horded for the invasion that never came of the home islands. There is one thing the Japanese trucks have over the other factions that is they can transport 13, other than the US 2 1/2 ton truck (18 capacity) the rest (factions) only has a 12 capacity. I think they even get that 13 for captured trucks also. Warlords thinking is due to the usual smaller stature of the average Japanese man over their more burlier western Europe and US counterparts.
100% agree on the Ho-Ro Assault Gun; it's the best option I think for their tank slot. I've found it to be so effective for its points that I've moved to using a Panzer 1 SIG33 for Germans because of it
Can NCO be a loader for the light mortar? It appears as the rulebook says no, but the FAQ makes it unclear. At any rate, I feel like despite the idea being nice, it's a bit pricy for 145 points.
