is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Sato is a native of Nagoya, Aichi and a graduate of the Aichi University of Education. He taught at local public schools prior to entering politics.
Sato was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990 as a Japan Socialist Party candidate. In 1996, he lost re-election to the House of Representatives, but was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998. He served in the House of Councillors until 2010.