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EMPIRE OF JAPAN |
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FLAGS OF
THE GROUND SELF-DEFENSE FORCE |
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The flag of the Japanese Army, known as the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), is a variant of the well-known Rising Sun Flag of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.; it was adopted in 1954 when the Japanese armed forces were reestablished. The GSDF has a standardized system of distinguishing flags for groups/regiments, battalions and companies. All unit flags bear the emblem of the GSDF, a stylized cherry blossom within a wreath, all in golden yellow. (The cherry blossom is a traditional symbol of the Japanese soldier.) The field of the flag is in the primary branch color of the unit and the horizontal stripe or stripes are in the secondary branch color, e.g. red and white for infantry. The number of stripes indicates the size of the unit: group/regiment three stripes, battalion two stripes, company one stripe. In the lower hoist is a white rectangular panel on which is inscribed the unit designation. It should be noted that some Japanese regiments have only one battalion and in such cases the battalion-echelon flag is issued, as shown below for the 18th Infantry Regiment. The group designation is used for multi-battalion formations of branches that do not have a regimental organization, such as aviation.
There are
three general officer ranks: General, Lieutenant General
and Major General. Their flags, however, correspond to
echelon of command rather than to rank: chief of staff,
area army, division or brigade. All are white and bear
the emblem of the GSDF under from four to two smaller
cherry blossoms. Usually there is only one full general
on active duty, serving as the GSDF Chief of Staff; his
flag displays four cherry blossoms. A lieutenant general
commanding one of the GSDF's five area armies has a
flag with three blossoms and a horizontal stripe;
for a division commander the stripe is omitted. Major generals
in command of brigades have a
flag with two blossoms. The division and brigade
commanders' flags are also used by lieutenant generals
and major generals respectively serving in staff
positions. |
