After serving in administrative positions from 1931 to 1933, he assumed command of the heavy cruiser Takao from 1933 to 1934, and the battleship Yamashiro from 1934 to 1935.
Efter at have gjort tjeneste i administrative stillinger 1931–1933 overtog han kommandoen over den tunge krydser Takao 1933–1934 og slagskibet Yamashiro 1934-1935.