The Type 96 15 cm Howitzer was intended to replace it, but it remained in use throughout World War II.

Its modified box trail allows it to fire at extreme elevations, increasing its usefulness in jungle or rugged terrain.

The gun barrel was removed from the cradle and placed on the rear portion of the trail, to which were attached an extra pair of wheels.

The type 4 used semifixed ammunition with high-explosive, as well as armor-piercing, shrapnel, chemical, smoke and incendiary tracer projectiles.

[3] Type 4 15 cm Howitzer was considered somewhat obsolescent for frontline combat service from the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, but as insufficient quantities of the Type 96 15 cm howitzer were produced, it remained in service on many fronts during the Pacific War.