Whilst the Army was undergoing preparations for war with Russia, he was promoted to Surgeon major general (corresponding to Shosho) in June 1899, then was 'demoted' to the post of Director of the army surgeon department of the twelfth division in Kokura City (Western area, in contrast to Tokyo (Eastern area) and Osaka (Central area)).
陸軍内で対ロシア戦の準備が進む中、1899年（明治32年）6月に軍医監（少将相当）に昇進し、東京（東部）・大阪（中部）とともに都督部が置かれていた小倉市（西部）の第12師団(日本軍)軍医部長に「左遷」された。