Notice Regarding the Appointment of a New Director
AgriFuture Japan announced the appointment of Hiroko Aoyama as a new non-executive director, effective March 26, 2026, to strengthen its agricultural management education.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 01:00
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AgriFuture Japan, the general incorporated association that operates the AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy, announces that it resolved the appointment of a new director at its extraordinary general meeting of members held on March 26, 2026, as detailed below.
(1) Details of the Appointment
Director (Non-executive): Hiroko Aoyama
(2) Date of Assumption of Office
March 26, 2026
(3) Term of Office
Until the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of members regarding the 15th fiscal year (scheduled for late June 2027, as per the Articles of Incorporation).
[Biography of the New Director]
Name
Hiroko Aoyama
Education
March 1986: Graduated from the Department of British and American Studies, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
March 2019: Completed Doctoral Program in International Agricultural Technology and Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba
Brief History
1986: Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies ~ Worked at Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) ~ Studied abroad at Yonsei University in South Korea
After returning to Japan, worked at Hanwha Japan (a Korean trading company) and Funai Consulting Inc.
2019: Completed Doctoral Program in International Agricultural Technology and Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba
2020: Lecturer at Niigata Agro-Food University
2022: Associate Professor at the same university
2024: Professor at the same university
■ AgriFuture Japan (https://www.afj.or.jp)
Location: 5th Floor, Norinchukin Bank Shinagawa Training Center, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
President: Hiroki Ose (Former Deputy Chair of the Commentary Committee, NHK)
Established: February 2012
Number of Members: 205 members (as of October 31, 2025)
Business Activities: Operation of the AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy, research and studies in the agricultural sector, etc.
■ About AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy
Opened in April 2013 under the name "Japan Agri-Innovation Academy" with the goal of developing the next generation of agricultural managers.
To respond to changes in the environment surrounding agriculture and educational needs, the curriculum was reviewed under the new missions of "developing human resources who will transform agriculture" and "raising the management level of the agricultural industry as a whole." Starting in fiscal 2023, the name was changed to "AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy" (crowned with AgriFuture Japan), and a new educational curriculum began.
『AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy Online School』 (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)
Provides courses tailored to the learning, skills, and issues to be solved depending on the number of years in farming and the management stage. It features an online-centric learning style that makes it possible to balance studies with work.
『AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy Innovator Training Academy』 (https://www.afj.or.jp/)
(1) Details of the Appointment
Director (Non-executive): Hiroko Aoyama
(2) Date of Assumption of Office
March 26, 2026
(3) Term of Office
Until the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of members regarding the 15th fiscal year (scheduled for late June 2027, as per the Articles of Incorporation).
[Biography of the New Director]
Name
Hiroko Aoyama
Education
March 1986: Graduated from the Department of British and American Studies, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
March 2019: Completed Doctoral Program in International Agricultural Technology and Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba
Brief History
1986: Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies ~ Worked at Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) ~ Studied abroad at Yonsei University in South Korea
After returning to Japan, worked at Hanwha Japan (a Korean trading company) and Funai Consulting Inc.
2019: Completed Doctoral Program in International Agricultural Technology and Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba
2020: Lecturer at Niigata Agro-Food University
2022: Associate Professor at the same university
2024: Professor at the same university
■ AgriFuture Japan (https://www.afj.or.jp)
Location: 5th Floor, Norinchukin Bank Shinagawa Training Center, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
President: Hiroki Ose (Former Deputy Chair of the Commentary Committee, NHK)
Established: February 2012
Number of Members: 205 members (as of October 31, 2025)
Business Activities: Operation of the AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy, research and studies in the agricultural sector, etc.
■ About AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy
Opened in April 2013 under the name "Japan Agri-Innovation Academy" with the goal of developing the next generation of agricultural managers.
To respond to changes in the environment surrounding agriculture and educational needs, the curriculum was reviewed under the new missions of "developing human resources who will transform agriculture" and "raising the management level of the agricultural industry as a whole." Starting in fiscal 2023, the name was changed to "AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy" (crowned with AgriFuture Japan), and a new educational curriculum began.
『AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy Online School』 (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)
Provides courses tailored to the learning, skills, and issues to be solved depending on the number of years in farming and the management stage. It features an online-centric learning style that makes it possible to balance studies with work.
『AFJ Japan Agri-Innovation Academy Innovator Training Academy』 (https://www.afj.or.jp/)