| 56th Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1940–1945 |
| Country | Empire of Japan |
| Branch |  Imperial Japanese Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | Kurume |
| Nickname(s) | Dragon Division |
| Engagements | Battle of Toungoo Siege of Myitkyina Battle of Mount Song |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Masao Watanabe Yuzo Matsuyama |
The 56th Division (第56師団, Dai-gojūroku Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Dragon Division (龍兵団, Tatsu Heidan). It was formed on 10 July 1940 in Kurume, simultaneously with the 51st, 52nd, 54th, 55th, and 57th Divisions. The formation nucleus was the headquarters of the 12th Division. Its manpower came primarily from Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. The 56th Division was initially assigned to the Kurume Mobilization District, under the command of the Western District Army.