He competed with Team Japan as a defenceman in the men's ice hockey tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

[1] He also was the head coach of the women's ice hockey tournament Team Japan at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The following year, he made his international debut with the Japanese Under-20 men's national ice hockey team at the World Junior Championships.

[3] After leaving the Eagles organization at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 season, Yamanaka took up the position of coaching Smile Japan.

[6] In July 2020, Yamanaka was hired by the Nepean Raiders to serve as their assistant coach for the 2020-2021 hockey season.