Fr Yamanouchi was born in Saeiki, in the prefecture of Oita, in Japan, on August 8, 1955. His Salesian religious journey began in Argentina, where, in Manucho, Santa Fe, he entered the novitiate in 1975. From 1976 to 1979 he studied Philosophy and Theology in Córdoba, until he obtained a Baccalaureate in Theology and Education Sciences. He made his perpetual vows in Cordoba in 1982 and was ordained a priest on December 21, 1984 in San Juan.
In Argentina he was Director of the Salesian houses "Miguel Rua" of Córdoba (1987-91), "San Michele" of La Plata (1991-92), and of the "Domingo Savio" institute of Ramos Mejía (1991-96), also fulfilling the role of Master of Novices (1991-96).
Returning to Japan at the beginning of 1997, he served in three Salesian houses in Tokyo, nominated Director in all three; first in Suginami (2001-04), then Chõfu (2004-10), then at the provincial center in Yotsuya (2010-15).
For the "St. Francis Xavier" Province of Japan he was Delegate for Formation (2007-15), for the Past Pupils of Don Bosco (2009-12), for the Salesian Family (2009-15) and for the Association of Mary Help of Christians (2010-18).
Appointed as Provincial Vicar from 2009 to 2014, he has been Provincial since January 2015.
