A native of Miyagi Prefecture, Shōji graduated from the 25th class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1912.

[1] Beginning in 1941, he commanded the Imperial Japanese Army 230th Infantry Regiment, sometimes called the Shōji Detachment,[1] which was part of the 38th Division.

From February through March 1942, this unit participated in the invasion of Java as part of the Netherlands East Indies campaign.

After participating to a minor degree in the Battle for Henderson Field, Shōji's regiment took heavy losses in the Koli Point action, Carlson's patrol, and Battle of Mount Austen, the Galloping Horse, and the Sea Horse.

[5] Surviving the Japanese defeat in the campaign and withdrawal from Guadalcanal, Shōji was promoted to major general in March 1944.