| Identification code in English literature | Meaning in English | Meaning in Japanese |
| CD | Coast Defence | Kaibokan |
| P | Patrol | Shokaikantei (shokaitei) |
| Pa | Patrol Auxiliary | Shokaitei Iru |
| Ch | submarine CHaser | Kusentei |
| Cha | submarine CHaser Auxiliary | Kusentei Iru |
| Ma | Minelayer Auxiliary | Kiraikantei Iru |
| W | minesWeeper | Sokaitei |
| Wa | minesWeeper Auxiliary | Sokaitei Iru |
| T | Transport | |
| SB | landing ship | Senshayorikukan |
| SBD | landing ship diesel driven | Senshayorikukan |
| SBT | landing ship turbine driven | Senshayorikukan |
| SS | landing ship | |
| T | fast torpedo boat | Gyoraitei |
| T | torpedo boat | Raitei |
| H | gun boat | Hayabusa / Junshitei |
| patrol boat | Kanshisen | |
| motor launcher | Hayabusatei | |
| river boat | Kasen | |
| Air propeller boat | Puroperasen |
© Ivan Gogin, 2008