Born in Osaka in 1962. Starts shooting the super 8 camera in high school. Enters the Nagoya Institute of Technology and joins the Nagoya Cinémathèque whilst a student. During the same period in 1985, he founds M.K.S. (Makoto Kinkira Sement), an independent screening organization, and starts his independent screening career. Returns to Osaka and joins Voyant Cinémathèque in 1988. After the cinémathèque's breakup in 1996, Yanase continues to be vigorous in production activities.