YOSHIHIRO SAKATA, © PHOTO KISHIMOTO
Yoshihiro Sakata (1942– )
Born: September 26, 1942 in Osaka
Family: He married Keiko and they have one son Hiroshi
Education: He attended Rakuhoku High School between 1959–1961, after which he read Economics at Doshisha University in Kyoto, from which he graduated with a BA in business studies in 1965.
Professional Career: He worked for Kinki Nihon Rail-roads Corporation between 1965–1975. In 1977 he joined the Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences (OUHS) as a Lecturer. In 1984 he was made an Associate Professor and became a Professor in 1991. Demi retired from the OUHS at age of 70 and he is currently appointed as an honorary professor from 2013.
He has published a number of academic papers on the theory and practice of Rugby Coaching, Competitive Sports Theory and the use of artificial grass for rugby fields.
Nickname: Demi
Other sports: Judo (Black Belt)
Family: He married Keiko and they have one son Hiroshi
Education: He attended Rakuhoku High School between 1959–1961, after which he read Economics at Doshisha University in Kyoto, from which he graduated with a BA in business studies in 1965.
Professional Career: He worked for Kinki Nihon Rail-roads Corporation between 1965–1975. In 1977 he joined the Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences (OUHS) as a Lecturer. In 1984 he was made an Associate Professor and became a Professor in 1991. Demi retired from the OUHS at age of 70 and he is currently appointed as an honorary professor from 2013.
He has published a number of academic papers on the theory and practice of Rugby Coaching, Competitive Sports Theory and the use of artificial grass for rugby fields.
Nickname: Demi
Other sports: Judo (Black Belt)
Rugby career
- Yoshihiro Sakata commenced playing for Rakuhoku High School in Kyoto in 1959 and played for the school first XV until 1961. His debut for the school first team was delayed due to shortages of playing fields.
- In 1961, he joined the Doshisha University RFC also in Kyoto, for which he played on the wing until his graduation in 1965.
- During his early years of his playing career he played on the right wing. After three seasons, he moved to the left wing a position he played until the end of his career.
- He was a member of the University team who won the inaugural Universities “NHK Championship” in 1961.
- He played for the Doshisha University team who won the “All Japan Championship” in 1963.
- In 1965, he joined the Kintetsu Railway RFC in Osaka, playing also on the wing and won the “Japan Corporations Championship” in 1966, 1967, 1969 and 1974.
- He was a member of the Kintetsu RFC team who won the “All Japan Championship” in 1965, 1967 and 1974.
- He was selected for the Japan National team in his second year at Doshisha University but failed to make the tour to Canada due to an injury.
- Sakata made his international debut against NZ Universities in 1967, already established as one of the finest players in his position in Japanese rugby.
- He represented his country, Japan Universities and Kansai District Union against several visiting overseas sides.
- During Sakata’s time in the National team 1967–1973, Japan played 38 matches against international opposition of which JRFU awarded caps for 16. Sakata played in 16 of these 18 matches.
International appearances record
12/03/1967 Japan 3 v NZ Universities, Osaka
21/03 1987 Japan 8 v NZ Universities 55, Tokyo
03/06/1968 Junior All Blacks 19 v Japan 23, Wellington
08/06/1968 NZ Universities 25 v Japan 16, Wellington
09/03 1969 Japan 24 v Hong Kong 22, Tokyo
21/03 1987 Japan 8 v NZ Universities 55, Tokyo
03/06/1968 Junior All Blacks 19 v Japan 23, Wellington
08/06/1968 NZ Universities 25 v Japan 16, Wellington
09/03 1969 Japan 24 v Hong Kong 22, Tokyo
18/01/1970 Thailand 11 v Japan 42, Bangkok
08/03/1970 Japan 6 v NZ Universities 16, Tokyo
15/03/1970 Japan 14 v NZ Universities 28, Osaka
22/03/1970 Japan 32 v British Columbia 3, Tokyo
29/03/1970 Japan 14 v NZ Universities 46, Tokyo
24/09/1971 Japan 19 v England XV 27, Osaka
28/09/1971 Japan 3 v England XV 6, Tokyo
11/11/1972 Japan 16 v Hong Kong 0, Hong Kong
06/10/1973 Wales XV 62 v Japan 14, Cardiff
13/10/1973 England U23 19 v Japan 10, London
27/10/1973 France 30 v Japan 18, Bordeaux
08/03/1970 Japan 6 v NZ Universities 16, Tokyo
15/03/1970 Japan 14 v NZ Universities 28, Osaka
22/03/1970 Japan 32 v British Columbia 3, Tokyo
29/03/1970 Japan 14 v NZ Universities 46, Tokyo
24/09/1971 Japan 19 v England XV 27, Osaka
28/09/1971 Japan 3 v England XV 6, Tokyo
11/11/1972 Japan 16 v Hong Kong 0, Hong Kong
06/10/1973 Wales XV 62 v Japan 14, Cardiff
13/10/1973 England U23 19 v Japan 10, London
27/10/1973 France 30 v Japan 18, Bordeaux
Playing career highlights
- He played in the sensational match against the All Black Juniors in Wellington, when his record four (4) tries helped Japan record a historic 23–19 win.
- Overall he scored 12 tries on the 1968 NZ tour, of which five (5) against Poverty Bay.
- He played against the touring England XV in 1971 when Japan came tantalisingly close to major upset (lost 6–3).
- He took a sabbatical during his company to be able to experience New Zealand rugby in 1969. During this year he played for Canterbury University, Southland Universities, Canterbury Provincial team, New Zealand Universities and New Zealand Barbarians.
- He appeared for Canterbury against West Coast, Mid-Canterbury and Wellington in 1969.
- He played for New Zealand Barbarians captained by Colin Meads, against New Zealand Maoris in 1969, when he scored two tries.
- He played and scored a try for a Cantabrians XV against the All Blacks returning from their 1973 tour.
- He scored a try in his final international match against France at the end of Japan’s 1973 European Tour.
- He came out of retirement at the age of 34 to play against the visiting University of Canterbury. The match attracted a large crowd who came to bid a fond farewell to their hero. Sakata was carried off the field shoulder-high by his former University of Canterbury teammates.
Coaching career
- He was the Manager and Head Coach of Osaka University of Health and Sports Sciences team since 1977.
- With Sakata at the helm, Osaka University won the Kansai Regional University League five times and reached the last four of the University Championship three times.
- He coached Japan team on their 1979 tour of New Zealand.
- He coached Japan A against the All Blacks in 1987.
- He coached Japan Universities in 1988.
- He worked as Rugby Development Coach at Addington Primary School in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2003.
- He was a member of the JRFU Coaching Committee.
Rugby administration
- Vice President of the Japanese RFU (2015–2019), then Special Advisor to President of the Japanese RFU (2020– ).
- President of the Kansai RFU (2012–2019), then Chief Executive Advisor of the Kansai RFU (2020– ).
- IRB Match Commissioner for Tonga v Japan in 2008.
- IRB Citing Commissioner for Fiji and Japan in 2008.
Award honours
- In the 2021 New Year Honours, Demi was appointed an honorary member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to New Zealand–Japan relations and rugby.
- Nominated as one of six outstanding presenters at the Rugby World Cup Japan Pool Draw event in 2017.
- Inducted the IRB (known as World Rugby) Hall of Fame #51 in 2012.
- One of the global Rugby Stars chosen by the FFR to promote the 2007 RWC.
- Appointed Life Member, University of Canterbury RFC, New Zealand in 2009.
- Guest of honour at the University of Canterbury RFC’s 125th Anniversary in New Zealand.
- Nominated as a Rugby Legends at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
- Guest of honour at the Canterbury RFU’s 125th Anniversary Celebrations in 2004.
- Sports Award of the Year by the Asahi Shimbun Newspaper in 1975.
- “White Bearer” Sport Award of the Year by Daily Sports Newspaper in 1973.
- Selected Honorary members of the Cantabrians Rugby Football Club in 1973.
- Selected by the NZ Rugby Almanack as one of the the five outstanding players of the year — alongside W. Cottrell (Canterbury), Sid Going (North Auckland), Walter Spanghero (France) and Joseph Maso (France) in 1969.
What Yoshihiro Sakata said
“It is indeed a great honour to be inducted into the IRB’s prestigious Hall of Fame. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere gratitude to all those members who have deemed my career and my contribution to rugby as worthy of such a wonderful honour. When I first heard that I was to be honoured in this way, I couldn’t quite believe it, and it still hasn’t really sunk in. My induction into the Hall of Fame does not recognise my achievements only, but also the Japanese rugby family and JRFU for all their hard work and dedication to the sport of rugby over many, many years.”
What NZ Rugby Almanac said
"Yoshihiro Sakata (Doshisha University and Japan), along with others in the side, demonstrated on the tour of New Zealand the high potential as Rugby players of the Japanese. In fact, several of the team already possess that quality which places them in the top grade. Not the least is Yoshihiro Sakata, whose performances in New Zealand entitle him to be considered as one of the best wing-three quarters to play on our fields."
“Speedy, good handler and most intelligent player, Yoshihiro Sakata was an attraction wherever he appeared, and rightly so.”
“Leading players (1968 New Zealand Tour) were Y. Sakata, a wing moulded in the R. A. Jarden lines, and who scored four tries against New Zealand Juniors.”
“Speedy, good handler and most intelligent player, Yoshihiro Sakata was an attraction wherever he appeared, and rightly so.”
“Leading players (1968 New Zealand Tour) were Y. Sakata, a wing moulded in the R. A. Jarden lines, and who scored four tries against New Zealand Juniors.”