A native of Miyazaki prefecture, Shima was a graduate of the 39th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1911, ranking 69th out of 148 cadets.

Shima was promoted to lieutenant in 1918, and after taking courses in torpedo warfare and navigation, was assigned as Chief Communications Officer on the battlecruiser Kirishima.

In 1925–1926, Shima was appointed aide-de-camp to HIH Prince Takamatsu Nobuhito, concurrently serving on the battleships Nagato and Fusō.

Because of the strict radio silence imposed on the forces, Shima was unable to synchronize his movements with those of Nishimura's.

[3] In 1959, in response to a letter from 16-year-old Bill Frazer of San Fernando, California, Shima defended his actions and performance in the Battle of Surigao Strait.