Translation guide
A military rank below general and above major general. In Japanese, the equivalent rank is 中将 (chūjō) in the modern Japan Self-Defense Forces and historically in the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy.
The rank of lieutenant general in the modern Japan Ground, Maritime, or Air Self-Defense Force.
Standard term for lieutenant general in the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Used across all branches.
彼は陸上自衛隊の中将です。
He is a lieutenant general in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Specific term for lieutenant general in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Equivalent to 中将 but used in official contexts.
陸将の階級章は三つ星です。
The rank insignia of a lieutenant general (JGSDF) is three stars.
Specific term for vice admiral (equivalent to lieutenant general) in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
海将は艦隊を指揮します。
A vice admiral commands the fleet.
Specific term for lieutenant general in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
空将が航空総隊を率いています。
The lieutenant general leads the Air Defense Command.
The rank of lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army (pre-1945).
Same term as modern usage, but refers to the Imperial Army rank. Often seen in historical contexts.
乃木希典は陸軍中将でした。
Nogi Maresuke was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army.
The rank of vice admiral (equivalent to lieutenant general) in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Used for both army and navy lieutenant general/vice admiral ranks in the Imperial forces.
山本五十六は海軍中将でした。
Yamamoto Isoroku was a vice admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
中将 is the generic term for lieutenant general across all branches of the Self-Defense Forces and historically. However, each branch has its own specific term: 陸将 (Ground), 海将 (Maritime, equivalent to vice admiral), and 空将 (Air). These are used in official branch-specific contexts, but 中将 is widely understood and used in general reference.
When addressing a lieutenant general directly, use their rank followed by 殿 (どの) in formal written correspondence, or simply use their title with polite speech. In spoken conversation, 中将殿 or just 中将 with appropriate honorifics is common.