The Japanese put their resources in aircraft and ships. They didn't start trying to make a "real" tank until they were facing the probability of a large land war defending the home islands.
Their tanks were all infantry support vehicles intended for combat against other Asian countries.
Interestingly though, the largest tank offensive in the Pacific Campain was by the Japanese against US forces. It didn't succeed, but it did take us by surprise and punch a good ways into our lines.
Don't think this means US tanks had free ranging opportunities against the Japanese. They did have real anti-tank guns. For example, every tank we landed on Okinawa was knocked out before the battle was over, IIRC.
