 He was promoted to the rank of 1-dan in 1988, and obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan in April 1992.Sanada served on the Japan Shogi Association's board of directors from 1999 until 2003.He was elected for his first two-year term as a director at the association's 50th General Meeting in May 1999,
and then re-elected to a second two-year term at the association's 52nd General Meeting in May 2001.