(ija) Soldier's Personal National Flag With Kanji.

[peleliuexplorer]

Do you know where the flag was captured? That may help whether it's navy.

-Eric

[Westmark]

Peleliuexplorer,
Unfortunately it's origin is lost to time
Best regards,
Todd

[Edokko]

Sorry for the belated reply, but yes, there is one hint on the flag that links the owner to navy. On the bottom left corner is a title and name of one of the well-wishers which is written 呉廠砲塔器具　永田彦三郎, reads "Kure-sho Ho-to Ki-gu Nagata Hikosaburo" and means Kure Arsenal Turret Equipment Nagata Hikosaburo, and shows this gent to have been in the ships turret and equipment production unit at the Kure naval arsenal.

[Nick Komiya]

The man was obviously a worker at the arsenal, as his friends from the 2nd floor of the 5th Dormitory are signing. Also the right most signature is from a 2nd Lt Yoshioka (wearer of a 5th class order. Rising Sun I suppose) whose title includes the word dormitory and Kure Arsenal.

[MikeB]

Personal National Flag With Kanji

Todd-
If you do a Google search you will find all kinds of information on the Kure Naval Arsenal. The Japanese have a saying that "Kure and navy are inseparable." The Kure Naval Arsenal itself was established in 1903 and developed into the largest shipbuilding facility of the Japanese Imperial Navy. Presently it is operated by privately owned companies and is still one of the largest naval facilities in the world. Mike

[Edokko]

Also the right most signature is from a 2nd Lt Yoshioka (wearer of a 5th class order. Rising Sun I suppose) whose title includes the word dormitory and Kure Arsenal.

Nick, you Da Man ! I didn't even bother to look closely at the scrawly writing on the right side after 撃ちして止まむ, but reading your post and scｒutinized the area and it's as exactly as you say. Wouldn't have made it out without your guidance.