colonel (JASDF, JGSDF); captain (JMSDF)
Military rank used in the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Equivalent to colonel in the Air and Ground Self-Defense Forces, and captain in the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
彼は陸上自衛隊の一佐に昇進した。
He was promoted to colonel in the JGSDF.
一佐は海上自衛隊では艦長を務めること
Captains in the JMSDF often serve as ship commanders.
Standard kanji spelling for this rank.
Numerical variant sometimes seen in official documents or tables.
The rank name 一佐 is a modern Self-Defense Force term, combining 一 (one) and 佐 (assistant/field officer), following the SDF's unique rank naming system.