One of the oldest students of Hidetaka Nishiyama starting in 1961, Yabe is considered one of the great instructors of Japanese traditional Shotokan Karate.
As a child the Yabe family moved to Japan after World War II, returning to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 13.
When he returned to the United States in 1976, Yabe started a karate class at the Gardena Buddhist Church as a part of the Japanese Language School.
Sensei Yabe continues to instruct in the Los Angeles South Bay Area and teaches seminars and courses around the U.S. and abroad.
In December 1961 the AAKF ( American Amateur Karate Federation) held its first competition in Los Angeles at the Olympic Auditorium.