The Type 94 was introduced in 1934 and named based on the Japanese calendar year, 2594. Based on European heavy truck designs of the 1930s, it was developed to support the Japanese invasion of China. The standard design was an open cab with a canvas top and steel half doors although a closed cab version was also built. The Type 94A had a 4,390cc 6 cylinder engine and the Type 94B had a 4,800cc 4 cylinder diesel engine.