Ranks and insignia of the Japan Self-Defense Forces

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The Ranks and insignia of the Japan Self-Defense Forces are the military insignia used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Contents

History

Following the end of World War II in Asia, after the surrender of Japan, the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy were dissolved by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers during the occupation of Japan. The symbols below represent the ranks of the Japan Self-Defence Forces: the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force, the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, which replaced the imperial military in 1954. The 1938–1945 Japanese military and naval ranks were phased out after World War II. The Self-Defence Force breaks away from the Sino-centric tradition of non-branch-specified ranks; each JSDF rank with respect to each service carries a distinct Japanese title, although equivalent titles in different branches are still similar, differing only in the use of the morphemes riku (ground) for the army ranks, kai (maritime) for the naval ranks, and kū (air) for the aviation ranks. [1]

The pentagramic stars on the insignia represent cherry blossoms. Because Japanese soldiers take an oath to die to protect the lives and wealth of Japanese citizens, they have been compared to delicate cherry blossoms that break easily.

Ground Self-Defense Force

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank groupGeneral officersField officersJunior officers
Rank幕僚長たる陸将
Bakuryōchō-taru-rikushō 		陸将
Rikushō 		陸将補
Rikushō-ho 		1等陸佐
Ittō rikusa 		2等陸佐
Nitō rikusa 		3等陸佐
Santō rikusa 		1等陸尉
Ittō rikui 		2等陸尉
Nitō rikui 		3等陸尉
Santō rikui 		准陸尉
Jun rikui
Insignia Type A [2] JGSDF General insignia (a).svg JGSDF Lieutenant General insignia (a).svg JGSDF Major General insignia (a).svg JGSDF Colonel insignia (a).svg JGSDF Lieutenant Colonel insignia (a).svg JGSDF Major insignia (a).svg JGSDF Captain insignia (a).svg JGSDF First Lieutenant insignia (a).svg JGSDF Second Lieutenant insignia (a).svg JGSDF Warrant Officer insignia (a).svg
Insignia Type B JGSDF General insignia (b).svg JGSDF Lieutenant General insignia (b).svg JGSDF Major General insignia (b).svg JGSDF Colonel insignia (b).svg JGSDF Lieutenant Colonel insignia (b).svg JGSDF Major insignia (b).svg JGSDF Captain insignia (b).svg JGSDF First Lieutenant insignia (b).svg JGSDF Second Lieutenant insignia (b).svg JGSDF Warrant Officer insignia (b).svg
Insignia Miniature Type JGSDF General insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Lieutenant General insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Major General insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Colonel insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Lieutenant Colonel insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Major insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Captain insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF First Lieutenant insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Second Lieutenant insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Warrant Officer insignia (miniature).svg
U.S. equivalent [3] General Lieutenant general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank groupNCO'sEnlisted
Rank陸曹長
Rikusōchō		1等陸曹
Ittō rikusō		2等陸曹
Nitō rikusō		3等陸曹
Santō rikusō		陸士長
Rikushichō 		1等陸士
Ittō rikushi 		2等陸士
Nitō rikushi 		自衛官候補生
Jieikan kōhosei
Insignia Type A [2] JGSDF Sergeant Major insignia (a).svg JGSDF Master Sergeant insignia (a).svg JGSDF Sergeant First Class insignia (a).svg JGSDF Sergeant insignia (a).svg JGSDF Leading Private insignia (a).svg JGSDF Private First Class insignia (a).svg JGSDF Private insignia (a).svg JGSDF self defence official cadet insignia (a).svg
Insignia Type B JGSDF Sergeant Major insignia (b).svg JGSDF Master Sergeant insignia (b).svg JGSDF Sergeant First Class insignia (b).svg JGSDF Sergeant insignia (b).svg JGSDF Leading Private insignia (b).svg JGSDF Private First Class insignia (b).svg JGSDF Private insignia (b).svg JGSDF self defence official cadet insignia (b).svg
Insignia Miniature Type JGSDF Sergeant Major insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Master Sergeant insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Sergeant First Class insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Sergeant insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Leading Private insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Private First Class insignia (miniature).svg JGSDF Private insignia (miniature).svg No insignia
U.S. equivalent [3] First sergeant Sergeant first class Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Private first class Private Recruit

Maritime Self-Defense Force

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank groupFlag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Rank幕僚長たる海将
Bakuryōchō-taru-kaishō 		海将
Kaishō 		海将補
Kaishō-ho 		1等海佐
Ittō kaisa 		2等海佐
Nitō kaisa 		3等海佐
Santō kaisa 		1等海尉
Ittō kaii 		2等海尉
Nitō kaii 		3等海尉
Santō kaii 		准海尉
Jun kaii
Insignia Type A [2] [4] JMSDF Admiral insignia (a).svg JMSDF Vice Admiral insignia (a).svg JMSDF Rear Admiral insignia (a).svg JMSDF Captain insignia (a).svg JMSDF Commander insignia (a).svg JMSDF Lieutenant Commander insignia (a).svg JMSDF Lieutenant insignia (a).svg JMSDF Lieutenant Junior Grade insignia (a).svg JMSDF Ensign insignia (a).svg JMSDF Warrant Officer insignia (a).svg
Insignia Type B JMSDF Admiral insignia (b).svg JMSDF Vice Admiral insignia (b).svg JMSDF Rear Admiral insignia (b).svg JMSDF Captain insignia (b).svg JMSDF Commander insignia (b).svg JMSDF Lieutenant Commander insignia (b).svg JMSDF Lieutenant insignia (b).svg JMSDF Lieutenant Junior Grade insignia (b).svg JMSDF Ensign insignia (b).svg JMSDF Warrant Officer insignia (b).svg
Insignia Type C [2] [4] JMSDF Admiral insignia (c).svg JMSDF Vice Admiral insignia (c).svg JMSDF Rear Admiral insignia (c).svg JMSDF Captain insignia (c).svg JMSDF Commander insignia (c).svg JMSDF Lieutenant Commander insignia (c).svg JMSDF Lieutenant insignia (c).svg JMSDF Lieutenant Junior Grade insignia (c).svg JMSDF Ensign insignia (c).svg JMSDF Warrant Officer insignia (c).svg
Insignia Miniature Type JMSDF Admiral insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Vice Admiral insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Rear Admiral insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Captain insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Commander insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Lieutenant Commander insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Lieutenant insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Lieutenant Junior Grade insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Ensign insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Warrant Officer insignia (miniature).svg
U.S. equivalent [3] Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Lieutenant (junior grade) Ensign Warrant officer

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank groupNCO'sEnlisted
Rank海曹長
Kaisōchō		1等海曹
Ittō kaisō		2等海曹
Nitō kaisō		3等海曹
Santō kaisō		海士長
Kaishichō 		1等海士
Ittō kaishi 		2等海士
Nitō kaishi 		自衛官候補生
Jieikan kōhosei
Insignia Type A [2] JMSDF Chief Petty Officer insignia (a).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 1st Class insignia (a).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 2nd Class insignia (a).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 3rd Class insignia (a).svg JMSDF Leading Seaman insignia (a).svg JMSDF Seaman insignia (a).svg JMSDF Seaman Apprentice insignia (a).svg JMSDF self defence official cadet insignia (a)1.svg
Insignia Type B JMSDF Chief Petty Officer insignia (b).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 1st Class insignia (b).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 2nd Class insignia (b).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 3rd Class insignia (b).svg JMSDF Leading Seaman insignia (b).svg JMSDF Seaman insignia (b).svg JMSDF Seaman Apprentice insignia (b).svg JMSDF self defence official cadet insignia (b).svg
Insignia Type C JMSDF Chief Petty Officer insignia (c).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 1st Class insignia (c).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 2nd Class insignia (c).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 3rd Class insignia (c).svg JMSDF Leading Seaman insignia (c).svg JMSDF Seaman insignia (c).svg JMSDF Seaman Apprentice insignia (c).svg No insignia
Insignia Miniature Type JMSDF Chief Petty Officer insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 1st Class insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 2nd Class insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Petty Officer 3rd Class insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Leading Seaman insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Seaman insignia (miniature).svg JMSDF Seaman Apprentice insignia (miniature).svg No insignia
U.S. equivalent [3] Senior chief petty officer Chief petty officer Petty officer first class Petty officer second class Petty officer third class Seaman Seaman apprentice Seaman recruit

Air Self-Defense Force

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank groupFlag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Rank幕僚長たる空将
Bakuryōchō-taru-kūshō 		空将
Kūshō 		空将補
Kūshō-ho 		1等空佐
Ittō kūsa 		2等空佐
Nitō kūsa 		3等空佐
Santō kūsa 		1等空尉
Ittō kūi 		2等空尉
Nitō kūi 		3等空尉
Santō kūi 		准空尉
Jun kūi
Insignia Type A [2] [5] JASDF General insignia (a).svg JASDF Lieutenant General insignia (a).svg JASDF Major General insignia (a).svg JASDF Colonel insignia (a).svg JASDF Lieutenant Colonel insignia (a).svg JASDF Major insignia (a).svg JASDF Captain insignia (a).svg JASDF First Lieutenant insignia (a).svg JASDF Second Lieutenant insignia (a).svg JASDF Warrant Officer insignia (a).svg
Insignia Type B JASDF General insignia (b).svg JASDF Lieutenant General insignia (b).svg JASDF Major General insignia (b).svg JASDF Colonel insignia (b).svg JASDF Lieutenant Colonel insignia (b).svg JASDF Major insignia (b).svg JASDF Captain insignia (b).svg JASDF First Lieutenant insignia (b).svg JASDF Second Lieutenant insignia (b).svg JASDF Warrant Officer insignia (b).svg
Insignia Miniature Type JASDF General insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Lieutenant General insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Major General insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Colonel insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Lieutenant Colonel insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Major insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Captain insignia (miniature).svg JASDF First Lieutenant insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Second Lieutenant insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Warrant Officer insignia (miniature).svg
U.S. equivalent [3] General Lieutenant general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank groupNCO'sEnlisted
Rank空曹長
Kūsōchō		1等空曹
Ittō kūsō		2等空曹
Nitō kūsō		3等空曹
Santō kūsō		空士長
Kūshichō 		1等空士
Ittō kūshi 		2等空士
Nitō kūshi 		自衛官候補生
Jieikan kōhosei
Insignia Type A [2] [5] JASDF Senior Master Sergeant insignia (a).svg JASDF Master Sergeant insignia (a).svg JASDF Technical Sergeant insignia (a).svg JASDF Staff Sergeant insignia (a).svg JASDF Airman 1st Class insignia (a).svg JASDF Airman 2nd Class insignia (a).svg JASDF Airman 3rd Class insignia (a).svg JASDF self defence official cadet insignia (a)1.svg
Insignia Type B JASDF Senior Master Sergeant insignia (b).svg JASDF Master Sergeant insignia (b).svg JASDF Technical Sergeant insignia (b).svg JASDF Staff Sergeant insignia (b).svg JASDF Airman 1st Class insignia (b).svg JASDF Airman 2nd Class insignia (b).svg JASDF Airman 3rd Class insignia (b).svg JASDF self defence official cadet insignia (b).svg
Insignia Miniature Type JASDF Senior Master Sergeant insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Master Sergeant insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Technical Sergeant insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Staff Sergeant insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Airman 1st Class insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Airman 2nd Class insignia (miniature).svg JASDF Airman 3rd Class insignia (miniature).svg No insignia
U.S. equivalent [3] Senior master sergeant Master sergeant Technical sergeant Staff sergeant Senior Airman Airman first class Airman Recruit

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "自衛隊の階級" [Ranks of the JSDF]. 平成16年版 防衛白書 [Defense of Japan 2004](PDF) (in Japanese). Japanese Defense Agency. 2004. p. 266. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-07-27. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "自衛官の階級" [Self-Defense Forces rank]. mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dolan, Roland E. (1992). "National Security". In Dolan, Roland E.; Worden, Robert L. (eds.). Japan: a country study. Area Handbook (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. p. 448-449. LCCN   91029874 . Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  4. 1 2 "階級章" [Rank chapter]. mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Rank of Insignias" (PDF). yokota.af.mil. Yokota Air Base. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
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