During the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, the 4th division landed on Liaodong Peninsula and performed security duties as part of army reserve, though its 7th Mixed Brigade was sent to northern Formosa in September 1895 during the Japanese invasion of Taiwan, and helped to pacify the Kapsulan (Yilan) district.

In March 1942, the reorganization was complete and the 4th Division was then reassigned to the 14th Army, arriving in the Philippines to participate in the Battle of Bataan on 3 April 1942.

After the Philippines campaign (1941–1942) ended on 8 May 1942, the division was returned to the home islands to perform security duties.

[6][7] Whilst garrisoned in padang, they were also tasked on training local militias under the occupation of West Sumatra known as the Giyuugun (義勇軍, Giyūgun).

[8] Parts of the 4th Division were on Chicago Maru transport when it was sunk 15 October 1943, and therefore were temporarily diverted to Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The divisional arsenal in Osaka detonated 14 August 1945 due to Allied bombing, resulting in light damage to the headquarters buildings.