A native of Fukuoka Prefecture, Matsushita graduated from the 31st class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1903.

Matsushita was promoted to commander while in London, and after his return in December 1919, was assigned to the staff of the IJN 4th Fleet.

[2] In January 1921, Matsushita served as chief secretary to Minister of the Navy Admiral Katō Tomosaburō.

After a posting to the Naval Personnel Bureau, he returned to sea as captain of the battleship Kongō in December 1925.

[3] As Commandant of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in the early-1930s, Matsuhita is credited with devising the Gosei or "Five Reflections".