Wow, never would have figured this out. I found this reference to Labor Units on-line in the “Handbook on Japanese Military Forces 15 September 1944”:
“Regimental pioneer (labor) unit. The type "A" organization definitely includes in its establishment a regimental pioneer unit of set composition. This consists of a commander, 6 sections, and a material section. It numbers from 100 to 200 men, and its duties consist of general construction work. When "B" class divisions are moved into areas where personnel are required for demolition work, road construction, etc. , a labor unit, consisting of four or five sections, can be drawn from the infantry companies and augmented by a few engineers. While a regimental labor company, with a strength as high as 250, may be found in any division, this does not necessarily involve any increase in the strength of the regiments.”
From reading this, I gather is that these were basically engineering units that would draw from infantry companies within the regiment/division.
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