Japanese Military Ranks 🇯🇵
Overview
The armed forces of Japan, known as the "Japan Self-Defense Forces" (JSDF) or "自衛隊" (Jieitai), consist of several branches, each with specific responsibilities:
- Ground Self-Defense Force (陸上自衛隊 - Rikujou Jieitai): The Ground Self-Defense Force is responsible for land-based military operations, including infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. It plays a crucial role in national defense and security.
- Maritime Self-Defense Force (海上自衛隊 - Kaijou Jieitai): The Maritime Self-Defense Force focuses on maritime defense and security, operating various vessels, including destroyers, submarines, and patrol boats, to protect Japan's extensive coastline and maritime interests.
- Air Self-Defense Force (航空自衛隊 - Koukuu Jieitai): The Air Self-Defense Force is responsible for aerial defense and operations, with fighter aircraft, transport planes, helicopters, and air defense systems ensuring air superiority and national defense.
Japan Military
Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 幕僚長たる空将 Bakuryōchō-taru-kūshō |
|
OF-9 | General |
| 空将 Kūshō |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| 空将補 Kūshō-ho |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| 1等空佐 Ittō kūsa |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| 2等空佐 Nitō kūsa |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 3等空佐 Santō kūsa |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| 1等空尉 Ittō kūi |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 2等空尉 Nitō kūi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 3等空尉 Santō kūi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 准空尉 Jun kūi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 空曹長 Kūsōchō |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| 1等空曹 Ittō kūsō |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 2等空曹 Nitō kūsō |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 3等空曹 Santō kūsō |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 空士長 Kūshichō |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 1等空士 Ittō kūshi |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| 2等空士 Nitō kūshi |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 幕僚長たる陸将 Bakuryōchō-taru-rikushō |
|
OF-9 | General |
| 陸将 Rikushō |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| 陸将補 Rikushō-ho |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| 1等陸佐 Ittō rikusa |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| 2等陸佐 Nitō rikusa |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 3等陸佐 Santō rikusa |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| 1等陸尉 Ittō rikui |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 2等陸尉 Nitō rikui |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 3等陸尉 Santō rikui |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 准陸尉 Jun rikui |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 陸曹長 Rikusōchō |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| 1等陸曹 Ittō rikusō |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 2等陸曹 Nitō rikusō |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 3等陸曹 Santō rikusō |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 陸士長 Rikushichō |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 1等陸士 Ittō rikushi |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| 2等陸士 Nitō rikushi |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 幕僚長たる海将 Bakuryōchō-taru-kaishō |
|
OF-9 | General |
| 海将 Kaishō |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| 海将補 Kaishō-ho |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| 1等海佐 Ittō kaisa |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| 2等海佐 Nitō kaisa |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 3等海佐 Santō kaisa |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| 1等海尉 Ittō kaii |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 2等海尉 Nitō kaii |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 3等海尉 Santō kaii |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 准海尉 Jun kaii |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 海曹長 Kaisōchō |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| 1等海曹 Ittō kaisō |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 2等海曹 Nitō kaisō |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 3等海曹 Santō kaisō |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 海士長 Kaishichō |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 1等海士 Ittō kaishi |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| 2等海士 Nitō kaishi |
|
OR-1 | Private |
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