noun
Rank in the Japan Self-Defense Forces Air Force, equivalent to a colonel in many Western air forces. The JSDF rank system does not map perfectly to NATO ranks, so translations such as 'lieutenant' or 'major' may appear in some contexts, but 'colonel' is the most common equivalent.
空佐の階級章は、桜星三つで表される。
The rank insignia of a colonel in the Air Self-Defense Force is represented by three cherry blossom stars.
彼は空佐に昇進した。
He was promoted to colonel (in the Air Self-Defense Force).