Brian Takenaka '91 President of Urry & Bannai Saketen

Brian Takenaka ’91 is President of Urry & Bannai Saketen, a B2B venture of Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. (CCBJI).

A second generation Japanese American, Takenaka grew up watching many classic Japanese movies — Tanpopo (1985), Ikiru (1952), Taxing Woman (1987), The Funeral (1984), the Lone Wolf & Cub series, Zatto Ichi (2003), the Otoko wa Tsurai yo series, the Tsuribaka Nisshi series, and Akira (1988) — to name several.

Takenaka decided on Oxy for its study abroad program at Waseda University and for its unique Oxy-at-the-UN program. While at Oxy, Takenaka was also active in the Hawaiian Club, International Student Club, and Model United Nations club.

His first job after graduation was through the Oxy-at-the-UN program. Afterwards, he became the first Student Membership Director for UNA-USA in New York City. In New York City, he started his first business in artist management and recordings. He later sold the business to return to Tokyo to pursue his first love and get married. For the past three decades, he has had multiple jobs as a digital consultant.