Meet Chubu Walkathon Volunteer - Robert Roche

Walkie Walrus • Apr 01, 2022

Today's Walkathon spotlight is on Mr. Robert Roche.

Robert's involvement in the Chubu Walkathon dates back to the very first event. In fact, he co-founded this (now) annual event back in 1992.


Over the Walkathon's 30 years (and 31 annual events), Robert has never not been involved!

Whether rolling up his sleeves planning & organizing, or generous corporate sponsorship, Robert has been a key player in this iconic event.

Robert Roche at 1999 Chubu Walkathon
Robert Roche at 2016 Chubu Walkathon

Name: Robert Roche

Business: Direct Marketing Company

Walkathon Role: Former Chairman, former janitor, current Tanto


Here, in his own words, is an outline of Robert's history with the Chubu Walkathon and the international business community of Nagoya...

As a member of the ABCN Walkathon inaugural committee, I could never have imagined that 30+ years later it would grow to be such a long-term, massive event, nor that it would raise in excess of 8 million yen per year for the benefit of local charities. To be honest, at the time, I had huge doubts that the inaugural event would even get off the ground.


I had never been involved in organizing a project of this scale, but nevertheless, Harry Hill and I found ourselves managing the event, which, incidentally, doubled as a 4th of July celebration. There were many moving parts, I was not completely sure how this was actually going to be pulled off successfully. 


I clearly recall one of the first planning meetings that took place in the Lockheed Martin office. Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, I said something that expressed my anxiety over the growing enormity of the event and its huge production scale. At the time, what we were trying to accomplish seemed impossible. I was very young at the time, and did not have extensive business experience. I was feeling insecure about my qualifications to manage such an event and its ever-growing scale. Henry Gomez, who was the director of the FSX project for Lockheed, was in that meeting. He looked me straight in the eye and pointed his finger at me and said, "Boy, there is absolutely no place for that attitude. This will work and it will be a success and it will be the best 4th of July celebration that Nagoya has ever had. We will make this work!"


Following the success of the event, I reflected on the lessons I had learned, and it reinforced the value of my involvement with ACCJ, which was then known as the ABCN in Nagoya. I would have never had access to a guy like Henry if it weren't for this connection with the American business community. Henry was a champion of American industry, and there he was giving me management advice. That kind of advice and mentoring is priceless, and it's a moment I'll never forget.


- Robert Roche

Roles with ACCJ


  • President, ABCN 1997 - 2000
  • (First) Vice President of Chubu Chapter, ACCJ 2000 – 2004
  • Member of the Inaugural Walkathon Committee, which has raised over $7 million yen/year for the community over the past 30 years.
  • Vice President Chubu Chapter, 2021 - present

People like Robert are vital to the success of the Chubu Walkathon. But so are you!


The Walkathon would not exists if it were not for the wonderful and generous Chubu Community!

Please plan to attend and/or donate to this year's Walkathon and help us bring smiles to those in need within Chubu.

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