What nickname was commonly used for the Japanese soldiers in close combat?

The nickname commonly used for Japanese soldiers in close combat was "Ghosts." This term reflects a perception of the soldiers as elusive and difficult to identify or engage directly, reminiscent of their tactics in combat, which often included ambushes and surprise attacks. The imagery of a ghost reinforces the idea of invisibility and cunning, which can be associated with their military strategies during conflicts.

The other nicknames do not carry the same associations with stealth and elusiveness that "Ghosts" does, nor have they been widely recognized as descriptors for Japanese soldiers in the context of close combat. Understanding the cultural context and the battlefield tactics can help clarify why "Ghosts" is a fitting descriptor in this scenario.