 In December 1915, a air battalion was created under the Army Transport Command, which became responsible for all air operations.However, serious interest in military aviation did not develop until after World War I. Japanese military observers in Western Europe were quick to spot the advantages of the new technology, 

Tokugawa led the 2nd Air Battalion, was commander of the 1st Air Regiment, and after his promotion to lieutenant general was commander of the Imperial Japanese Army Aviation Corps three times through the 1920s and 1930s.In 1928, he was created a baron in the "kazoku" peerage.