Mr Yoshio Ogata (born in1952), climbed his first mountain on a school trip at the age of 13, climbing the 1,705m-tall Mount Azuma in his native Fukushima prefecture. He has come a long way since then, scaling Mount Everest in Dec 1993 as Deputy Leader of the team which achieved the First Ascent of S-W Face of Everest in winters.
He was an integral part of the Indo- Japanese joint expeditions to the Himalayas in 1980s and early 1990s, notching several first ascents to his credit which include Mamostang Kangri (7516m) in 1984, Mt Gyala Peri (7151m) in 1986, Rimo I (7385m) in 1988 and Pyramid Peak (7123m) in 1993. He has also successfully summitted Mt. Tukuche Peak (6920m) via N Ridge in 1974, Mt. Kedarnath Dome (6831m) via N Ridge in 1980, Mt. Yalung Kang (Kangchenjunga West 8505m) in 1981, Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m) in 1993, Mt. Satopanth (7075m) via N Ridge 1995 and Mt. Gasharbrum Ⅱ (8035m) & Mt. Broad Peak (8051m) in 1997.
An active member of The Himalayan Club, he represented THC as the Hony Local Secretary in Japn for several years. He has held the important portfolios of Vice President and Executive Director of Japan Mountaineering Association.