Battle of Xuzhou
Before the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Sakurada assigned to the staff of the IJA 5th Division in March 1935. He participated in the Battle of Xuzhou and other campaigns in southern China, becoming chief-of-staff of the division from November 1937. In August 1939, he was promoted to major general and transferred to take command of the Guards 1st Brigade He subsequently commanded the Guards Mixed Brigade from November 1939.