1.
major (army/air force); lieutenant commander (navy)
A mid-level military officer rank. In the army and air force, equivalent to major; in the navy, equivalent to lieutenant commander. Ranks above captain (大尉) and below lieutenant colonel (中佐).
少佐に昇進した。
He was promoted to major.
少佐が部隊の指揮を執った。
The major took command of the unit.
彼は海軍少佐として太平洋戦争に従軍した。
He served in the Pacific War as a navy lieutenant commander.
Part of the Japanese military rank system. The officer ranks using 佐 from lowest to highest are: 少佐 (major), 中佐 (lieutenant colonel), 大佐 (colonel). The English equivalent depends on the branch: army/air force uses major, while navy uses lieutenant commander. Frequently encountered in war literature, historical accounts, and anime/manga with military settings.