After the fighting subsided in July 1944, the 62nd Division was removed from the front lines and subordinated first to the China Expeditionary Army and later directly to the Emperor's control.

[2] Soon afterward one of the divisional transports, the Tsushima Maru, was sunk on 22 August 1944 with a heavy death toll, as the majority of the passengers were evacuated schoolchildren.

In February 1945, the positions were further changed to include more of the large cities, with the goal of training militia units from the local population.

This deployment resulted in significantly lower morale due to the abandonment of nearly complete coastal fortifications.

Starting on 1 April 1945, the division fought in the Battle of Okinawa, countering initial US advances at Chatan-Toguchi to the north and Naha-Yonabaru to the south.