(b.1976) Nihon Ki-in pro, 7 dan in 2000, 8 dan in 2002. Strange Pro Opening 3 features a game between Takao and Yamashita Keigo.
These two have been rivals since at least August 1986 when the 9-year-old Takao lost on national television to the not-quite-8-year-old Yamashita in the final of the All-Japan Elementary School Championship. In 1996 Takao beat Yamashita in the semi-final of the 21st Shinjin-O Tournament and then went on to sweep the title match from Nakamura Shinya 2-0. In 1998 Takao played Yamashita in the final of the 23rd Shinjin-O but lost 1-2.
Takao has yet to make a mark in the major titles but has done quite well in junior and lightning tournaments.
His teachers are Taoka Keiichi and Fujisawa Hideyuki.