Born in Tokyo in 1895, Minakata Akikichi came from a family that produced many scholars: his great-grandfather was Minakata Genpo, a physician of the Tsuyama Domain and a scholar of Dutch studies; his grandfather was Minakata Shuuhei, also a scholar of Dutch studies; and his father was Minakata Genpachi, a scholar of Western history.

Minakata Akikichi graduated from the Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo Imperial University. In 1921, he studied abroad in Berlin, where he learned harmony from Georg Schumann while conducting chemical research. Upon returning to Japan in 1925, he worked at the Naval Technical Research Institute until after the war. Concurrently, he studied composition under Tomojiro Ikenouchi, Josef König, and Joseph Rosenstock, among others.

In 1930, he co-founded the Shin Kō Sakkyokuka Renmei (New Composers' League) with Heigoro Komatsu, contributing significantly to its establishment. Minakata was the oldest among the founding members. Thereafter, he remained active, with his works being submitted to international contemporary music festivals through the league. In 1934, his Small Symphony won an award at the 3rd Music Competition and was recognized by Alexandre Tcherepnin (1899-1977), leading to its publication in 1935 as part of the Tcherepnin Collection. He earned a Doctor of Science degree in 1939, but after the war, he dedicated himself to musical activities.

Minakata left a significant mark on the music world through his debate on "Japanese Harmony." Beginning with his 1929 essay "On National Music," he advocated for the necessity of "Japanese Harmony," a unique harmonic system for Japan. Japanese Harmony, which utilized the circle of fifths in a way different from Western harmony, was embodied in works such as his song cycle Basho Kiko-shu (1930-31).