The first two prototypes of this 105 mm self-propelled howitzer were completed in 1969-70, Komatsu being responsible for the hull and Japan Steel Works for the turret and 105 mm main armament. In 1974, the vehicle was standardised as the Type 74 105 mm self-propelled howitzer and production began in 1975.

Only 20 were built, the last being completed in 1978, as it was decided to concentrate on the more efficient 155 mm self-propelled howitzer which was eventually standardised as the Type 75. The 17 remaining Type 74s are attached to the 2nd Artillery Regiment at Asahikawa, Hokkaido, the northern part of the Japanese islands.

There are no known plans for this system to be upgraded in the future and, as its range is so short by today's standards, it is expected that it may well soon be phased out of service.

The all-welded armoured hull is divided into three compartments: driver at the front on the right, power pack to the left and gun compartment at the rear.

The driver has a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the right, in front of which are three day observation periscopes. In the driver's hatch is a rotatable periscope. The engine air intake and outlets are in the roof, with the exhaust outlet being on the left side.

The fully enclosed turret is at the rear and normal means of entry and exit for the gun crew is via a rectangular door in the chassis rear that opens to the right.

There is a single forward-opening door in each side of the turret and two circular opening roof hatches towards the rear, with the 12.7 mm M2 anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the right side of the turret roof and provided with a shield.

The turret of the Type 74 is not provided with a basket. The torsion bar suspension either side consists of five, dual, rubber-tyred road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and idler at the rear. There are no track-return rollers. The first and fifth road wheel stations either side have a hydraulic shock-absorber.

The 105 mm gun has a muzzle brake and a fume extractor.

Recent Japanese information has stated that the 105 mm weapon has a maximum range of 14,500 m with maximum muzzle velocity being 645 m/s. Ammunition is of the separate loading type, for example, projectile and charge in a brass cartridge case.

It is probable that the standard 105 mm HE round fired by the Type 74 was the old US M1 that is of the separate loading type.