Nishida was assigned to the Central China Expeditionary Army in February 1938 and was promoted to colonel in July of the same year.

Nishida was promoted to the rank of major-general on 1 August 1942 and assigned command of the 3rd Independent Defense Regiment, a reserve force.

The 1st Amphibious Brigade had just been formed from the 3rd Independent Reserve Regiment, formerly based in Manchukou, and was poorly trained and unaccustomed to the tropics.

[1] With heavy naval artillery support, US Marines stormed Parry island on 22 February 1944, sustaining 131 casualties (37 KIA), against which Nishida and almost all of his 800 defenders were annihilated.

Nishida was posthumously awarded the Order of the Golden Kite, 4th class and was promoted to lieutenant-general.