From September 1926, Katagiri was assigned to the Chosen Army in Korea as head of a special military intelligence unit operating in Siberia and Manchuria.

Katagiri was promoted to major general in August 1939 and assigned command of the IJA 1st Cavalry Brigade the following month, operating with the Mongolia Garrison Army to December 1940, when he returned to Japan.

In July 1943, he was ordered to replace General Shigemasa Aoki, who had died of malaria while commanding the IJA 20th Division in New Guinea.

His headquarters was near Gali, New Guinea, and marched with his troops 200 miles (320 km) to reinforce Finschhafen after the Australian landings.

During the Battle of Hollandia at the end of April 1944, Katagiri was killed in combat while en route from Madang to Wewak.