In 1877, Inoue fought in the Satsuma RebellionKowner, Historical Dictionary of the Russo-Japanese War, p. 370 and was subsequently served on the staff of the Kumamoto Garrison, Nagoya Garrison and was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commander of the IJA 1st Infantry Regiment in May 1885. In November 1888 he was promoted to colonel. From September 1889, Inoue served as Chief of Staff of the IJA 3rd Division. From February 1894 he was sent for six months to Europe, returning in October 1894 to assume the post of chief-of-staff of the Japanese Second Army during the First Sino-Japanese War. After his promotion to major general in May 1895, Inoue was given command of the. He subsequent was commander of the IJA 3rd Division in 1898 and promoted to lieutenant general in March 1899 and commander of the newly formed IJA 12th Division. In November 1903, he was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 1st class.
