Professor Kensaku Yoshida was born in Kyoto, Japan, in 1948 and educated at Sophia University (Japan) and the University of Michigan (USA). He is currently a Distinguished Professor at Sophia University and is the Director for Sophia University Center for Language Education and Research. Professor Yoshida is the former Dean of Sophia University Faculty of Foreign Studies and the former Director of Sophia Linguistics Institute for International Communication.

He has participated as plenary and invited speaker at various international conferences such as Asia TEFL, English Teachers’ Organization-Republic of China, Georgetown Roundtable on Languages and Linguistics, JACET, JALT, KAFLE, KOTESOL and Monterey Institute of International Studies—Language Policy: Lessons from Global Models, TESOL. Apart from that, in International and Domestic Organizations, he is also the former Trustee of The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF), a former member of Asia TEFL Executive Committee, a Member of the Developing Committee of TEAP (The Test of English for Academic Purposes), a Member of the Developing Committee of the National Airline Pilots’ English Proficiency Test and the President of J-Shine.

Professor Kensaku Yoshida has also served in Government related committees. Among which, he is  the Chair of Planning Committee to Implement 4 Skills Tests (National Center for University Entrance Examinations), a member of Steering Committee of Trustees (National Center for University Entrance Examinations), a member of Liaison Committee to Promote 4 Skills Tests and Credentials for Admission and Selection Purposes (Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture and Science-MEXT)), the former Chair of Committee of Specialists on Revision of English Education (MEXT), the former Chair of Committee to Discuss Ways to Improve the Foreign Language Ability of the Japanese (MEXT), a member of the Foreign Language Sub-committee of the Central Education Committee (MEXT), the former Chair of Strategic Committee to Discuss English Language Education (Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education), President of the Airline Pilots’ English Proficiency Assessment Committee (Ministry of Land and Transportation). He is also the Recipient of the Transportation Culture Award (Ministry of Land and Transportation) and the Recipient of the Best of JALT Award.