The Type 96 is a modern armored personnel carrier of Japanese origin. It was designed to supplement and partially replace the fleet of tracked APC's in Japanese service. The Type 96 features design elements from the Type 82 and Type 87 6x6 armored reconnaissance vehicles.

The Type 96 has a classic wheeled APC layout. The driver and commander are seated in tandem on the right of the engine. The troop compartment makes up the rear of the vehicle. It seats 8 soldiers and can be accessed through the roof hatches and rear ramp.

The Type 96 is armed with either a 40mm Type 96 automatic grenade launcher or 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun. Either weapon is mounted on the commander's cupola and can be fired under full armor protection.

The steel hull provides protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. It is possible that the Type 96 may resist heavy machine gun fire over the frontal arc. Equipment includes a laser warning device, NBC system and two banks of four smoke grenade launchers.

The 8x8 chassis provides very good mobility on roads and good mobility in all but the most difficult terrain. Steering is over the four forward wheels and a central tire pressure system is fitted. The 360hp Mitsubishi diesel engine provides a maximum road speed of 100 km/h.

Like all Japanese military production the Type 96 is only used by Japan and is not available for export. The Type 96 was adopted in 1996, but series production commenced after 2001. A total of 500 vehicles is to be acquired.