Takeshi Sasaki became a research assistant at The University of Tokyo Faculty of Law in 1965 after graduating from the same faculty and held several positions within the university until he was appointed president in April 2001 where he presided until April 2005. He became a member of the Board of Councilors for the National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation in July 2001 where he served until March 2006. In June 2003, Sasaki was also appointed chairman of The Japan Association of National Universities. In December 2004, Sasaki was selected as a member of The Advisory Council on the Imperial House Law. In April 2005, Sasaki was appointed a professor of Gakushuin University's Faculty of Law, Department of Political Studies. In June 2006, he was appointed as an Outside Director to East Japan Railway Company and Chair of the Labo International Exchange Foundation. Sasaki also became an Outside Director to TOSHIBA Corporation in June 2007.

Sasaki was made an advisor to ORIX in July 2005 and was appointed an Outside Director in June 2006.

Sasaki was born in 1942.