Sakata was a member of the Japan U-20 national team for the 2002 AFC Youth Championship. The team finished runners-up and was qualified for the 2003 World Youth Championship. At the World Youth Championship, he scored 4 goals in the tournament including against South Korea at knockout stage and became one of the top scorers. The team exited at the quarter final stage after beaten by Brazil. On August 9, 2006, he debuted for the Japan national team under new manager Ivica Osim against Trinidad and Tobago which is Japan's first match after the 2006 World Cup.