As a lieutenant during World War I, he served on the battleship Aki and cruiser Tokiwa, before receiving his first command, the destroyer Yayoi on 26 April 1919.

After a brief period of shore duty, Gotō was given command of the destroyer DD-41 in 1928, followed by the Usugumo; in December 1928 he was assigned as executive officer to the cruiser Asama.

He took part in the battle for Wake Island, his bombers destroying several American aircraft on the ground on the first day of combat.

But soon, his planes began to encounter fierce resistance and were only relieved by the arrival of Rear-Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi's relief force.

Although fewer than 18 Japanese aircraft were shot down or destroyed by bombs, Gotō came under criticism for his failure to shoot down the bombers.