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Japan. Identification Tag or Dog Tag of a Soldier from the 5th Company, 2nd Artillery Regiment, number 68.
The Japanese Dog Tag from the Second World War, known as Shōjōhyō (認識票), was the Japanese equivalent of the dog tag used by other armies. Its purpose was to identify soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army in case of death or disappearance during combat, although its design and system differed significantly from Western models.
These tags were typically made of metal (brass, aluminum, or steel) and had a rectangular or oval shape, perforated with one or two holes for hanging around the neck or attaching to the uniform. Unlike the American or British versions, they did not include the soldier’s name, but only the identification number, unit, and sometimes the recruitment group or prefecture of origin. This anonymity was meant to protect the soldier’s identity in case of capture. Many carried engraved or stamped Japanese inscriptions.
