At the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Gotō commanded the Tsushima Fortress until 1938, when he was promoted to major general and appointed commander of the 132nd Infantry Brigade of the IJA 104th Division. Gotō was involved in the 21st Army Canton Operation in southern China. He commanded the 21st Army forces in the landings of the Swatow Operation in June 1939. His division fought to defend the Canton region during the Chinese 1939-40 Winter Offensive.