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Japan. Imperial Japanese Army Military Passport (Guntai Techō) of Soldier Masanosuke Nishi, enlisted in Tokyo in 1945, with a photograph of the soldier and his unit
The Japanese Military Passport, known as Guntai Techō (軍隊手帳), was a personal identification booklet issued to every soldier of the Imperial Japanese Army during the first half of the 20th century, especially during World War II. This document accompanied the serviceman throughout his military career and functioned as a combination of personal record, service book, and official identification, indispensable for any administrative procedure within the military hierarchy.
Inside the Guntai Techō were recorded the soldier’s personal details (name, rank, unit, address, religion, blood type), as well as his service record, promotions, decorations, assigned weapons, vaccinations, and medical notes. Each soldier was expected to memorize the contents of the booklet — a reflection of the strict discipline and organization of the Imperial Japanese Army.
This particular example belonged to Masanosuke Nishi, a soldier enlisted in Tokyo in 1945, and includes a photograph of the soldier with his unit, taken during his service in the final stages of World War II.
