Lieutenant Shingō became the leader (Hikōtaichō) of Tainan Air Group when it was formed in Tainan on 1 October 1941. On 8 December 1941, he led 44 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters that escorted Mitsubishi G3M and Mitsubishi G4M bombers in the Attack on Clark Field at the beginning of the Invasion of Philippines. In January 1942, his unit covered landings at Balikpapan on Borneo during the Invasion of Dutch East Indies, and then moved its base of operations there after the airfield was captured by ground forces. While a part of Tainan Air Group was engaged in the air battle over Surabaya on 3 February, he led 14 A6M Zeros for a sweep over Malang. In April he was reassigned to 6th Air Group, where he stayed until May.