The gun was developed to replace the earlier type 11 anti aircraft gun and drew heavily from the British 3" AA gun. The Type 88 entered service in 1928 and was supplied to every anti aircraft battery to provide defence against medium level air attack with over 2,000 being produced before the end of WWII. The Type 88 could also be used in an anti tank role firing armour piercing shells. Type 88 were used effectively against Sherman tanks during the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa.