Career
He is an agile forward and can use both feet. He first played for Yokohama Flügels youth team but became a Yokohama F. Marinos youth player when both teams merged in 1999. He was promoted to the top team in 2001.
His first league appearance came on June 16, 2001 in a 0-2 defeat by F.C. Tokyo at the International Stadium Yokohama.
His first league goal came on August 18, 2001 when he scored the lone goal against Kashiwa Reysol at Kashiwa no Ha Park Stadium. The team finished runners-up and was qualified for the 2003 Fédération internationale de football association World Youth Championship
The team exited at the quarter final stage after beaten by Brazil.
He made his full international debut for Japan on August 9, 2006 in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago at the National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo when he replaced Alex in the 86th minute. Sakata joined Greek Superleage side Aris Football Club in 2011 after ten years at Yokohama F. Marinos but only stayed for a short time before returning to F.C. Tokyo for the 2nd half of the season.
In January 2012 it was announced he had signed for Avispa Fukuoka.