The 55th Infantry Division was formed in July 1940 and was originally part of the Central Army. In 1941, the division was transferred to the 15th Army and took part in the conquest of Burma. During the Burma campaign, the 144th Infantry Regiment was detached from the division and sent to New Guinea.

A small-scale version of the Arisaka Type 99 rifle, produced during the transition period from the Type 38 to Type 99 rifle. The long and short versions of the rifle underwent comparative tests for accuracy when used as a sniper weapon. The differences were considered insignificant, and as a result, the short version got into mass production.