Born in the Hyōgo Prefecture, Katayama began his Grand Prix career in 1964 with Suzuki.[1] He enjoyed his best season in 1967 when he won two races, including the French Grand Prix held at the challenging Circuit de Charade. [2] He finished the season in second place behind his Suzuki teammate, Hans-Georg Anscheidt in the 50cc world championship.[2] He also finished the 1967 season in fourth place in the 125cc championship.[2] Katayama won four Grand Prix races in his career.[2]
Katayama would later switch to cars, competing in domestic series mainly as Mazda's factory driver until he retired at the end of 1990.[1] He finished second in the 1983 James Hardie 1000, held at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, Australia co-driving with four-time winner Allan Moffat in a factory supported Mazda RX-7. His previous visits to the race were in 1977 when he spectacularly rolled his Mazda RX-3 at Murray's Corner on lap 103, and 1982 where he finished in 6th place again partnering Moffat.