Born in Osaka in 1954. After working as a graphic designer (1977-1986) and planning director of a contemporary art gallery (1986-1997), he established Contemporary Art Planning KATOH YOSHIO Office in 1997, where he plans and produces exhibitions as well as writing critical essays for newspapers and magazines. He is in charge of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Osaka Headquarters Exhibition Review (1999-2003) and the Asahi Shimbun Osaka Headquarters Art Review (2004-2022). He also served as a member of the Osaka Prefectural Cultural Staff (2003-2005) and the first director of the Takarazuka Arts Center (2020-2025). During this time, he also served as a part-time lecturer at Musashino Art University, Osaka University of Arts, Kinki University, Osaka Kyoiku University, Kobe University, Kyoto Seika University, etc. He is currently a visiting professor at Osaka University of Arts, a visiting professor at Osaka College of Art attached to Osaka University of Arts, and a part-time lecturer at Kobe University and the Osaka Learning Center of the Open University of Japan. Chairman of the Ashiya City Cultural Promotion Council, member of the Ashiya City Comprehensive Planning Council, advisor to the Ashiya City government, advisor to the Takarazuka Arts Center, vice-chairman of the Suita City Cultural Promotion Council, director of the Society for Ethnoarts and Culture, director of the Japan Contemporary Art Promotion Association, standing director of the Design Management Association, and vice-chairman of the Association for Gifting Art to Museums.