On 6 November he changed units again and was placed in command of the 13th Air Group. He then participated in the war on the Asian continent, coordinating the bombing of the city of Wuhan. On November 15, 1940 he moved to the Suzuka Air Group and on 1 May 1942 he was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral. Sent into the war theater of the South Pacific Ocean, he took part in the battle of the Eastern Solomon and the subsequent fighting of the long and exhausting campaign of Guadalcanal, in command of the 1st Attack Force. The force suffered heavy losses.