Takahashi developed his talents through the HRC Racing Scholarship and made his full World Championship debut in 2005 in the 250cc class. The following season he scored two wins and placed sixth overall, but an injury set him back at the start of 2007. He fared better in 2008, scoring three podiums on the way to fifth overall and a MotoGP ride for 2009 with Scot Racing. However, seven races into the season the team terminated his contract, citing financial constraints, and Takahashi was left without a ride for the remainder of the year. In 2010, the Japanese rider joined the new Moto2 class with the Tech 3 team, winning the Catalunya GP and ending the season in 12th. He switched to the Gresini team in 2011, finishing the year one better in 11th overall. Riding for a third Moto2 team and on a third different machine in as many seasons in 2012, Takahashi joins forces with Forward Racing on a Suter.