After graduating from Chuo University, he joined Nissan Motors in 1983.
In August 1979, when Tanaka was a Chuo University student, he was selected Japan U-20 national team for 1979 World Youth Championship and he played all 3 games.
In March 1980, he was selected Japan national team for 1980 Summer Olympics qualification.
[1] After retirement, Tanaka became a manager for Japan Football League club Otsuka Pharmaceutical (later Tokushima Vortis).
This biographical article related to a Japanese association football midfielder born in the 1960s is a stub.