As the tensions with Russia grew after the First Sino-Japanese War and Triple Intervention, the 8th Division was engaged in intensive cold-climate training, setting the stage for the infamous Hakkōda Mountains incident in January 1902, where 199 of 210 members of its 5th Infantry Regiment froze to death in Hakkōda Mountains. After the Russo-Japanese War began, the 8th Division was mobilized in June 1904. It was initially earmarked for a projected Japanese invasion of Primorskaya Oblast on the Siberian mainland, but was sent as a reserve force for the Siege of Port Arthur instead after that plan was shelved. It was then earmarked for the proposed Invasion of Sakhalin, but the 13th Division was sent instead, The 8th Division remained in reserve until assigned as reinforcements at Battle of Sandepu in January 1905. It acted with distinction, repelling a Russian counterattack together with the 5th Division. In February 1905, the division participated in Battle of Mukden. From 1910, the 8th Division was assigned to garrison duties in Korea, and it also participated in the Siberian Intervention starting in 1921. During Siberian Intervention, the 8th division was assigned to garrison Khabarovsk Krai and Amur Oblast. The 8th Division. These were combined into 11th Independent Mixed Regiment, and sent to Poluwat in June 1944, as the war situation in then Pacific grew increasingly difficult for Japan. Because of the lack of food and large number of wounded due American air raids, two of the three battalions were relocated to Trukin September 1944. In July 1944, the 8th Division was reassigned from Mudanjiang to the Philippines under the command of General Yamashita Tomoyuki's 14th Area Army. Sea transfer to Luzon started 10 August 1944 and was complete by 22 September 1944. The 5thInfantry Regiment of 8th Division was transferred to Leyte in late July 1944, and by late December 1944 was nearly completely annihilated during the course of the Battle of Leyte. The remainder of the division still in Luzon were assigned to the 41st Army on 1 January 1945 and suffered heavy losses during Battle of Manila in January 1945. The remnants of the 8th Division ceased fighting 2 September 1945 in Rodriguez, Rizal due surrender of Japan. Dissolution of the division was completed in December 1947. Notably, the Japanese holdoutHiroo Onoda, was from the 8th Division and did not surrender until 9 March 1974.
