 "Haguro" from 1935–1936 and the battleship "Nagato" from 1936 to 1937.As rear admiral from December 1937, Samejima commanded Carrier Division 4 from 1937–1938, Cruiser Division 13 from August–September 1938, and Carrier Division 2 from September 1938 to October 1939.From November 1939 to October 1942, Samejima served as Aide-de-camp to the Emperor of Japan, and was in this position at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.