The Type 74 (74式戦車, nana-yon-shiki-sensha^?) is a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). It was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a replacement for the earlier Type 61. It was based on the best features of a number of contemporary designs, placing it in the same class as the US M60 or German Leopard 1. Like these designs, it mounts the Royal Ordnance L7 105 mm gun. The design did not enter widespread use until 1980, by which point other western forces were starting the introduction of much more capable designs.

The JGSDF started studies on a new tank design with Mitsubishi in 1962, as it was realized that the Type 61 would not be able to defeat the latest Soviet designs like the T-62. Features from several designs were incorporated, including the controllable suspension of the MBT-70, the rolled steel hull of the Leopard 1, and the L7 105mm gun. Features unique to the design included a rotating cupola for the commander, and a new autoloader for the main gun. The design was finalized in 1964 and various test rigs were built between 1964 and 1967.