Based on the much utilised Type 97 Chi Ha tank, the Shi-Ki was a command vehicle with a modified turret and the 57mm gun removed with a 37mm gun on the hull instead of a machne gun. Some versions also carried a dummy gun in the turret. The Shi-Ki had additional radio equipment. Normally - as with other Chi-Ha, they had a frame aerial mounted round the turret. In practice, the Shi-Ki were vulnerable and after a while, they were used mainly as training vehicles with command units using Chi-Ha.