Naval Academy - Kaigunheigakko

An officer training institution in the former Imperial Japanese Navy. Its origins date back to the Naval Training School established in Tsukiji, Tokyo in 1869 (Meiji 2), which was renamed the Naval Academy the following year, and became the Naval Academy in 1876. It then moved to Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture in 1888, and since then, "Etajima" has become synonymous with the Naval Academy. Students at the school were selected by exam from among applicants aged 16 to 19, and after about four years of training, they became second lieutenant candidates upon graduation, and were commissioned as second lieutenants after a certain period of time. Education at the school consisted of discipline and academic education, and students were divided into squads. In addition to students, the school also had a system of selected students, who were recruited from non-commissioned officers and given the necessary education to become special officers. Graduates of the Naval Academy were supported by a unique sense of camaraderie, and formed a group of officers that was clearly distinct from non-commissioned officers and enlisted men in terms of both attitude and treatment. The school was closed in 1945 (Showa 20) after Japan's defeat in the war.

[Yoshida Yutaka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

旧日本海軍における将校養成機関。その起源は1869年（明治2）東京・築地(つきじ)に創設された海軍操練所であり、翌年これが海軍兵学寮と改称され、76年に海軍兵学校となる。その後、88年には広島県江田島(えたじま)に移転し、以後、「江田島」は海軍兵学校の代名詞となった。同校生徒は16歳から19歳の志願者のなかから試験によって選抜され、4年ほどの修業期間を経て、卒業と同時に少尉候補生となり、一定期間ののちに少尉に任官する。同校の教育は訓育と学術教育よりなり、生徒は分隊に区分された。また生徒のほか、同校には、下士官から採用しこれに特務士官として必要な教育を施す選修学生の制度があった。海軍兵学校卒業者は独特の仲間意識によって支えられ、下士官・兵とは意識のうえでも、また待遇のうえでも截然(せつぜん)と区別された将校集団を形成した。1945年（昭和20）敗戦に伴い廃校。

［吉田　裕］

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