Yamada is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Meiji University School of Law and holds a Master’s degree in Law. He is also a senior researcher at the Institute of Politics and Economy. Yamada researches nuclear disarmament issues from the perspective of international law. He is a board member of the International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms and the Japan Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms. Yamada has co-authored a number of books related to nuclear disarmament, international law and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.