Takashi Sakamoto
Profile
Performance in office
Tenure
Tenure
Background
Takashi Sakamoto was born in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, in May 1940 and graduated from the Faculty of Law of Keio University in March 1963. He became a director of Kofu Soko in August 1968 and Representative Director in December 1989; the foundation of his business was the Kofu warehousing business inherited from his father. An audio retail venture he tried around age 30 ended, in his words, "in a big failure after five years for lack of financial knowledge"; next he gathered about 320 used pianos and sold them all in two days. In May 1990 he opened the first BOOKOFF used bookstore in Sagamihara.
Selection
BOOKOFF CORPORATION was the incorporation of the first store Sakamoto opened, so there was no predecessor from whom he inherited the presidency. The first store ran at a loss at first but gained regular customers, and in 1991, when profitability came in sight, he founded the company and began building a chain. It was registered in Sagamihara with capital of ¥10 million for the purpose of buying and selling used books. In June 1992 it changed its name to BOOKOFF CORPORATION, and revenue for the fiscal year ended June 1992 was ¥0.2 billion. In the following FY ended June 1993, with nine company-owned and 25 franchised stores, revenue reached ¥0.8 billion, and franchise applications exceeded 70.
Initiatives
From October 1991 Sakamoto began expanding the franchise chain nationwide, replicating standardized buyback across the country. Franchisees followed a principle of self-sufficiency, buying locally and selling locally, with headquarters supplying only the initial inventory for new stores. Starting with used CDs and videos in 1994, the company broadened its merchandise to children's goods, sporting goods and clothing, and in October 1999 established the US subsidiary BOOKOFF U.S.A. INC. It listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in March 2004 and the First Section in March 2005, becoming the first reuse business listed on the First Section. Consolidated revenue for the fiscal year ended March 2006 was ¥42.1 billion.
Career
Career
Sakamoto Industries
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| Apr 1963 | Joined |
Kofu Warehouse
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| Aug 1968 | Director |
| Dec 1989 | Representative Director |
Bukkuofu Corporation
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| Feb 1991 | Representative Director, President |
| Jun 2006 | Stepped down as President |
| Jun 2006 | Representative Director, Chairman |
| Jun 2007 | Resigned as Director |
References 5
References (Japanese primary sources)
- 2020 AIM (113) 1994年「〈次代を拓く新しい経営者たちの戦略構想〉ブックオフコーポレーション㈱代表取締役社長坂本孝氏の巻」
- ブックオフコーポレーション「代表取締役の異動に関するお知らせ」（2006年5月16日）
- ブックオフコーポレーション「代表取締役の異動及び役員の異動に関するお知らせ」（2007年6月19日）
- 日経ビジネス 1993年10月11日号「ブックオフコーポレーション コンビニ感覚の古本屋 新刊の安売りにも挑戦」
- ブックオフグループホールディングス 有価証券報告書【沿革】