Born in Hamakita, Kawakami was a graduate of Takachiho College of Commerce. He started working for Yamaha in 1937, where his father, Kaichi Kawakami had been the president since 1927. Kawakami succeeded his father and introduced motorcycle production to Yamaha (Yamaha Motor Corporation). Retired in 1976, he wrote several books on music. He died in Hamamatsu at the age of 90 of natural causes.
Kawakami was married to Tamiko and had a son and a daughter.