Shinan Hiroyosh Okazaki was born in Chiba, Japan, on March 4, 1961. As young child his father’s career as a civil engineer led to frequent moves within Honshu, Japan. By the time he entered high school, his family had settled permanently in Kawasaki City. Graduating from Teikyo High School in 1978, he began his martial arts training at the Japan Karate Association headquarters in Tokyo.

In August 1979, Okazaki moved to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He continued his training at the ISKF Headquarters in Philadelphia while attending Temple University. In 1990, he received his BFA degree from the Tyler School of Art. Throughout this time, he continued to compete and teach at the ISKF Honbu Dojo under the tutelage of Shihan Teruyuki Okazaki. In 1995, he graduated from the ISKF instructor training program, becoming a Certified Instructor Examiner and Judge.

In 2015, upon his retirement, Shihan Teruyuki Okazaki designated Hiroyosh Okazaki to assume the position of Chairman and Vice-Chief of the International Shotokan Karate Federation. This appointment was unanimously approved by the International Board of Governors and Technical Committee. Additionally, Shinan Yutaka Yaguchi appointed Okazaki as Chief Instructor of the ISKF.

Okazaki currently holds the rank of 9th Dan. He continues to serve as Chief Instructor at ISKF Headquarters in Philadelphia, is an Adjunct Professor in the KPAP program at Temple University, and instructs at his Okazaki Karate Academy club in Palmyra, New Jersey. He also travels nationally and internationally to conduct seminars and examinations.