In July 1938, he was assigned command of the IJA 28th Cavalry Regiment and was dispatched to China for combat operations during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

In July 1941, he was assigned command of the IJA 2nd Cavalry Brigade and was promoted to major general in October of the same year.

However, as the war drew to an end, he was recalled to combat duty and became commander of the IJA 4th Cavalry Brigade.

The 59th Division was ordered to withdraw from China without being replaced, fighting continue rear guard action.

Fujita was apprehended by Soviet forces in Hamhung on the surrender of Japan in August 1945 and was sent as a prisoner of war to Siberia.