The Type 97 Shinhoto "Chi-Ha" would be akin to having an M8 with 23mph speed. The M4 Sherman could shrug off the Japanese 47mm AP at ranges outside of 500 yards. Think about that. The HE shell of the same 47mm would be slightly better than the M8's 37mm HE, but we're talking splitting hairs.
If AH is in need of a "perk farmer", then perhaps an early war German or British tank with feasible EW/MW performance (Pzr Mk III, Valentine, Crusader, StuG III, etc). The Type 97 in either variant was cannon fodder from the very beginning. Just sayin'.