Spotlight on Robert “Bob” J. Bradley, BA’54

Charleston High School letterman Bob Bradley was initially drawn to Marshall for its sports and educational programs in the early 1950s. He had the honor of playing basketball under the “Ole Man” Cam Henderson, and was quite good with the tennis racquet as well. A member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Bob chose to live in Hodges Hall with the athletes. He seemed destined to follow a career in sports. However, a much different career awaited him across the globe.

After a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC), Bob served for three years as a second lieutenant. “A group of us at Marshall College, football players and others, joined the reserve program,” said Bob. “We trained during summer holidays at Parris Island, Quantico and other bases. Then I was off to Japan to the Atsugi U.S. Naval AS, 20 miles from Yokohama.

“During my tour in Japan, I met a New York businessman who inquired what I planned to do after the service. ‘Get out and work,’ was my obvious reply. His New York company hired me in 1960. I trained in New York City, was assigned to the Tokyo-Yokohama office and I worked there for the next 10 years.”

In 1970 Bob joined with several young Japanese businessmen to create Takachiho Overseas Inc., a company that imports and distributes consumer products for homes from the United States, Europe, China and other countries. They sell the products to Japanese mail order catalogs, department stores and other retail establishments. Some of the items are advertised on a 40 million viewer Tokyo-Yokohama television station. Bob serves as the company’s president.

Setting up a company in Japan was not easy. “The early years were difficult,” said Bob. “We struggled for the first five years, but things perked up after that. It took a lot of money, patience, hard work and a ‘never give up attitude.’ It was a difficult decision to stay in Japan, but my (then) wife was a major help and had connections.

“A lot is involved with my business – shipping, customs clearances, etc.,” he added. “But it is worth it, maybe even a little fun. We initially had offices in Tokyo and Yokohama, but consolidated to the Yokohama office for economic reasons. Tokyo is a very expensive city to live and work in.”

Bob values the time he spent at Marshall. “A college or university education will truly test a person. It matures a person to get ready for the future and life itself, regardless of the degree you receive. In my case, I also played sports, and one learns he/she will win or lose—and how to accept it.”

Although a career in sports did not pan out, the interest is still there. Bob is vice president of the Yokohama Country & Athletics Club, established in 1868 by British residents. He is very active with the club’s tennis program, playing weekly. Bob has also been vice president of the Japan-American Society of Yokohama since 1980.

Bob has two daughters, both born and raised in Japan. Reiko, a graduate of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, is currently a movie executive and producer with an Australian movie company. Debi, a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, is a graphic designer in Sydney, Australia. He is a Life Member of the Alumni Association and a member of the M Club.    

You can find out more about Takachiho Overseas Inc. by going to www.toinc.jp