It was intended as a garrison force to maintain public order and to cover police duties in Japanese-occupied portions of central China, The 34th division have left Osaka 3 April 1939 and arrived to Hankou 13 April 1939.
In December 1939, it was transferred to Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi province, where it served as a garrison force.
Along with the rest of the 11th army, it was assigned 18 April 1944 under direct control of the China Expeditionary Army to participate in the Operation Ichi-Go, but as more of a reserve and garrison unit to consolidate and control territorial gains made during that operation, rather than as a front-line combat division.
The 34th division had garrisoned Changsha and Yuelu Mountain pass during the battle, having combat starting from 29 April 1944.
It meet the surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 outside of Jiujiang, on the southern shores of the Yangtze River in northwest Jiangxi Province, while retreating to Nanjing.