Yukichi Osaka was a Japanese physical chemist known for being a pioneer in his field and an avid supporter of the advancement of modern science in Japan. He was a student of Joji Sakurai (1853-1939), one of the first physical chemists in Japan. In 1899, after becoming an established professor in Japan, Osaka went to Germany to study with Wilhelm Ostwald (1853-1932) and Walther Nernst (1864-1941). In 1902, he returned to Japan.

In 1903, Osaka published Physical Chemistry which was the first textbook on physical chemistry in Japan. This textbook was used in grade schools to teach children chemistry. Osaka believed that his book was one of the first in the world to emphasize physical chemistry in teaching chemistry in grade schools.