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.

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 forces[]

Officer[]

Rank group General officers Field officers Junior officers
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
Rank 陸上幕僚長
(Rikujō bakuryō-chō)		 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)
U.S. equivalent[3] General Lieutenant general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer

Other ranks[]

Rank group NCO's Enlisted
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
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)
U.S. equivalent[3] First sergeant Sergeant first class Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Private first class Private Self-defense official cadet

Navy[]

Officers[]

Rank group Flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
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
Rank 海上幕僚長
(Kaijō bakuryō-chō)		 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)
U.S. equivalent[3] Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Lieutenant junior grade Ensign Warrant officer

Other ranks[]

Rank group NCO's Enlisted
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
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)
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 Self-defence official cadet

Air force[]

Officer[]

Rank group Flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
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
Rank 幕僚長たる空将
(Bakuryō-chōtaru sora shō)		 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)
U.S. equivalent[3] General Lieutenant general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Warrant officer

Other ranks[]

Rank group NCO's Enlisted
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
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)
U.S. equivalent[3] Senior master sergeant Master sergeant Technical sergeant Staff sergeant Sergeant Airman first class Airman Self-defence official cadet

See also[]

  • Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Army
  • Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Navy

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. ^ a b c d e f g "自衛官の階級" [Self-Defense Forces rank]. mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b "階級章" [Rank chapter]. mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Rank of Insignias" (PDF). yokota.af.mil. Yokota Air Base. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2021.

External links[]

  • "Japan". uniforminsignia.org. The International Encyclopedia of Uniform Insignia. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
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