Translation guide
A non-commissioned officer in a navy or coast guard. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with the term 下士官 (kashikan) or specific rank names depending on the force.
Referring to the rank or role in general, without specifying exact grade.
General term for non-commissioned officer in the navy or maritime self-defense force. Covers petty officers and chief petty officers.
He is a petty officer in the navy.
Historical or formal term for petty officer, used in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Still encountered in historical contexts.
He served aboard a warship as a petty officer.
Referring to a specific grade of petty officer in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Generic term for petty officer ranks in the JMSDF. Can be combined with grade numbers.
A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6 equivalent).
Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5 equivalent).
Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4 equivalent).
Referring to senior petty officer ranks (E-7 and above).
When addressing a petty officer directly, Japanese typically uses the rank title plus さん (san) or just the rank title in formal settings. In casual shipboard conversation, nicknames or last names may be used.
The JMSDF rank system closely mirrors US Navy ranks but uses different terminology. 三等海曹 (Santō Kaisō) is equivalent to Petty Officer 3rd Class, 二等海曹 (Nitō Kaisō) to Petty Officer 2nd Class, and 一等海曹 (Ittō Kaisō) to Petty Officer 1st Class. 海曹長 (Kaisōchō) is Chief Petty Officer.
A Petty Officer 1st Class is a veteran non-commissioned officer.
I was promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class.
A Petty Officer 3rd Class is a junior non-commissioned officer.
The Senior Chief Petty Officer mentors the junior sailors.