Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2011. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Eighth Quorum of the Seventy in the Asia North Area.
He is currently serving as a member of the Pacific Area Presidency.
Elder Yamashita received a bachelor of arts degree in education at Saitama University and a master’s degree in sport science from Tsukuba University. He studied philosophy of physical education and sports at Brigham Young University. During his career he worked as an instructor and professor at various universities and more recently as professor of health and sport sciences at Fukuoka University. He has served in many positions in universities, scientific societies, and community and sports organizations.
Since joining the Church in 1971, Elder Yamashita has served in numerous Church callings, including bishop, high councilor, stake mission president, stake president, Area Seventy, and president of the Japan Nagoya Mission (2013–2015).
Kazuhiko Yamashita was born in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan, on September 15, 1953. He married Tazuko Tashiro in March 1980. They are the parents of six children.