A Mechanical Engineering graduate from Kyusyu University, Yoshiaki Kinoshita originally joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1979 as an engine research and development engineer.

Kinoshita also has a vast experience of Toyota's motorsport activities, having been involved in the World Rally Championship from 1989 to 1995 and concurrently in the Le Mans programmes of 1992 and 1993. From there, Kinoshita moved to the USA to work at Toyota Motor Sales and Toyota Racing Development from 1996 to 2001. His specific role over the six-year period was Vice-President for the team's CART programme, which saw him lead all operations and play an integral part in developing the Toyota CART engine into a regular race victor and eventual championship winner.

From 2004, Kinoshita took over full responsibility for all technical developments in Toyota's numerous motorsport projects around the globe as a General Manager, Motor Sport Division. From 2005, Kinoshita adopted a duel role, alongside his existing function in Japan, he also became Executive Vice President of Toyota Motorsport.