The 4th Division was formed in Osaka City in January 1871 as the , one of six regional commands created in the fledgling Imperial Japanese Army. The Osaka Garrison had responsibility for central region of Honshū (Kansai district), ranging from Shiga Prefecture to Hyōgo Prefecture. The six regional commands were transformed into divisions under the army reorganization of 14 May 1888. During the Russo-Japanese War, led by General Ogawa Mataji, the division participated in several major battles and in the occupation of Korea. It later served in the Siberian Intervention and the Shandong Incident.