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.
The rank insignia of a colonel in the Air Self-Defense Force is represented by three cherry blossom stars.
He was promoted to colonel (in the Air Self-Defense Force).
colonel (JASDF)
Compound of 空 (air) and 佐 (assistant, a rank suffix used in the JSDF). The rank system was created after World War II for the Self-Defense Forces.