Originally known by its company designation KDA-2, it was accepted by the Imperial Japanese Army as the Type 88 Reconnaissance Aircraft.

[2] The basic design was modified into the Type 88 Light Bomber that was used in combat over China in the Second Sino-Japanese War.

After flight testing, the aircraft was accepted and ordered into production as the Army Type 88-1 Reconnaissance Biplane.

[4] A transport variant was developed as the KDC-2 with room for a pilot and four passengers in an enclosed cabin.

[5] Both reconnaissance and bomber versions saw action with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force during the Second Sino-Japanese War in Manchuria, and while in service in 1937 during fighting at the Battle of Shanghai, losses in early 1938, including at the Battle of Taierzhuang phased the Type 88 out of frontline service.