Born in Ichijodani Echizen; Yoshikage ascended to the head of the Asakura clan in 1548. He proved to be adept at political and diplomatic management; markedly demonstrated by the Asakura negotiations with the Ikko-ikki in Echizen. As a result of the negotiations and effective governance by Yoshikage; Echizen enjoyed a period of relative domestic stability compared to the rest of Sengoku era Japan. Consequently; Echizen became a site for refugees fleeing the violence in the Kansai region.

It is said that Yoshikage's tragic flaw was indecision. After the capture of Kyoto; Ashikaga Yoshiaki appointed him regent and requested Asakura aid in driving Nobunaga out of the capital. As a result; Oda Nobunaga launched an invasion of Echizen. Due to Yoshikage's lack of military skill; Oda's forces were successful at the Siege of Kanegasaki; leaving the entire Asakura domain open to invasion. Following this debacle; in 1573 he was betrayed by his cousin and was forced to take his own life.