After the training was completed in June 1942, the division was subordinated to the Kwantung Army and sent to the eastern part of the Soviet border in Manchuria.
Due to reorganization of the coastal defense, the infantry regiments were disbanded and used to reinforce other units.
The five detachments of the 71st division become the 9th Independent Mixed Regiment in late February 1944, landing on Pagan Island on 20 March 1944 after sailing from Hunchun.
Although never invaded, the garrison suffered from severe food shortages and daily air raids.
Several hundred soldiers died because of malnutrition before the garrison was evacuated to mainland Japan in late October 1945.