Yuki Okamoto: From the All Japan titles, to his growth in the WorldSSP

After three titles in the All Japan Road Race Championship, including two in the Superstock 600 class and one in the JSB1000 (Superbike), Yuki Okamoto got the opportunity to move to the FIM Supersport World Championship in 2025, thanks to Yamaha Racing and a historic, winning entity such as the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing Team. The 27-year-old, originary from the prefecture of Saitama, embraced this challenge with plenty of motivation and despite his struggles, he has made some good progress during his 2026 campaign, including some point finishes.

The journey of Yuki Okamoto includes big achievements, difficult moments and many changes. And Palmen in Motorradsport decided to interview him, in order to bring you his eventful story.

Yuki, it's your second year in the World Supersport. Are you happy with your time in this championship so far?

Now I'm finally happy with how it's going. In 2025 I got injured more than once (head and shoulder injuries, ed), so I couldn't give my 100%. However, in 2026 I am having a quite good season, including some point finishes. I also understand the Yamaha R9 and the Pirelli tyres much better, so I feel more comfortable now than in 2025.

Which race do you consider as your best race so far in the WorldSSP?

Race 1 at Magny-Cours this year, where I finished in 13th place and scored three points (same result as in Race 2 at Most, ed). It was a positive result. For the remaining races, I hope to fight for top 10 or even the top 6. I will be difficult, but I will do my best.

You came to World Supersport in 2025, after winning the title in the JSB1000 class of the All Japan championship. What was the biggest change for you?

The main difference is in the tyres. In Japan, I used the Bridgestone tyres, while here the tyres are supplied by Pirelli. The Bridgestone tyres I used had a quite hard compound and were not "shaking" that much. On the other hand, the Pirelli tyres are of a softer compound and move more. It was hard to adapt to it, but now it's going better, even if I still struggle especially with the softer tyes in the Superpole.

Moreover, I still have little experience, since I have ridden on almost every circuit in the calendar only in 2025 and now in 2026. And with just one Free Practice session on Friday morning and then the Superpole right after, there's not much time to learn a new circuit and adapt to it.

Did you expect the step from the All Japan series to the World Championship to be so big?

I expected it, but I admit that it was difficult to stay motivated after seeing that I was way behind in the field. In Japan I won many races and some titles, while here I am often between the 15th and the 20th position. When things change like this, it's hard to keep motivation high.

Is there any chance that you stay in World Supersport in 2027?

I don't know yet, but I would love to. In 2027 we will switch to the Michelin tyres, and from what I could see they are kind of in the middle between the Pirelli tyres and the Bridgestone ones. I think it would help me improve my results further.

Let's now step back to the beginning of your career. How did you start racing motorcycles?

My father was riding as an amateur, and he wanted me to try as well. So I started on the pocket bike, than I moved to minibikes, Honda NSR50...and then straight to 600cc!

That's a big step! But had you ever wanted to race in Moto3, in the JGP-3 class of All Japan?

No. I have always preferred bigger bikes.

So you moved up to All Japan in the Superstock 600 class, where you became champion in 2018 and 2020. Which title, out of these two, is more meaningful for you?

The one in 2018, because it's the first one in my career. Moreover, during the summer I also took part in two rounds of the Italian CIV Championship, at Misano and Mugello. The level there is higher compared to Japan, so it was a very helpful experience that prepared me even better for the final part of the season.

And in 2019, you raced the full season in the CIV Supersport, in Italy. How was that experience?

It was difficult, because already back then I moved from Bridgestone to Pirelli tyres. It was difficult to get up to speed and adjust my riding style, while also learning new circuits. But it was quite good, and I liked to spend plenty of time in Italy, also for the food!

You raced in CIV with AG Motorsport Italia in 2018 and Motozoo Racing in 2019. How different is it to work with Italian teams, compared to Japanese ones?

There's not much difference in how they work. The main difference was the language barrier: back then, I didn't speak English at all, and since I was there with Noriyuki Haga (his sons Akito and Ryota were racing for the same teams in both years, ed) he was acting as an interpreter between me and the team.

Going back to your career, after 2019 you went back to the All Japan championship, where you also won the title in the JSB1000 class in 2024. What can you say about that year?

That title is particularly meaningful. My father passed away during the summer, and after that I won four races in a row. During the races I remembered him, as if he was riding with me. Also for this, I consider that title as the main highlight of my career.

Do you have other interests and passions outside of motorcycle racing?

Yes. This year I started hiking and I like to do it whenever I can. So far the highest point I achieved was 1500 metres, but I want to go even farther.

Now that you are racing in the Supersport World Championship, do you stay in Europe? Or do you move back and forth between Europe and Japan?

In 2025 I lived in Valencia, but now I am going back to Japan after every round, same as I did when I raced in CIV.

Why?

Because I missed my dog, a dachshund named Nico. It always stays in Japan and I miss him a lot when I am in Europe. That's why I am always going back to Japan.

Back to your career, what's your goal for the future?

I want to get to World Superbike. I would like to ride the Yamaha YZF-R1 again: my riding style is rather stop-and-go, braking hard and not letting the bike flow in the corner, so I feel I suit the R1 more than the R9 I am riding in World Supersport.

In conclusion, do you want to thank anyone in particular for your career so far?

I want to thank my family, the Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing Team and Yamaha Racing, which made it possible for me to live this experience in the world championship. I am also very grateful to my fans. Some fans also came all the way from Japan to Misano, and that made me very happy. I hope to make some more progress and stay in the world championship.

Palmen in Motorradsport is grateful to Yuki Okamoto for his time and to Monique Trip (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing Team Coordinator) for organizing the interview. Best wishes to both the rider and the team for the upcoming races and seasons.