He was a graduate of the 40th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1912, where he placed 111th out of 144 cadets.

After being commissioned as ensign, he was assigned to the battlecruiser Ibuki and then Akashi, and then back to Ikoma.

He was promoted to lieutenant in 1919 after attending advanced navigation courses, and became chief navigator on the patrol boat Manshu, transport Takasaki, minelayer Katsuriki, seaplane carrier Wakamiya, oiler Shiriya, cruisers Tatsuta, Natori, Abukuma, Haguro, and aircraft carrier Kaga.

Promoted to commander in 1931, Jōjima was assigned as executive officer on the aircraft carriers Hōshō and Hiryu.

As commander of naval aviation units throughout the war, he also led the seaplane tenders of R-Area Air Force that participated in the defense of Guadalcanal during the Guadalcanal campaign including the Battle of Cape Esperance and Japanese efforts to recapture Henderson Field in 1942.