Notice Regarding the Appointment of a New Director
AgriFuture Japan (AFJ), the operator of the AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management, has announced the appointment of Hiroko Aoyama as a new non-executive director, effective March 26, 2026. The appointment was resolved during the 2025 extraordinary general meeting of members.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 01:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
AgriFuture Japan, the general incorporated association that operates the AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management, hereby announces that the following resolution regarding the appointment of a new director was passed at the 2025 extraordinary general meeting of members held on March 26, 2026.
(1) Details of the New Appointment
Director (Non-executive): Hiroko Aoyama
(2) Date of Appointment
March 26, 2026
(3) Term of Office
Until the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of members for the 15th fiscal year (scheduled for late June 2027, in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation).
[Biography of the New Director]
Name: Hiroko Aoyama
Education:
March 1986: Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Department of British and American Studies
March 2019: Completed Doctoral Program at the University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Major in International Regional Technology Development Science
Professional History:
1986: Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Department of British and American Studies; worked at Japan Travel Bureau (JTB); studied abroad at Yonsei University in South Korea.
After returning to Japan, worked at the Korean-affiliated trading company Hanwha Japan and Funai Consulting Inc.
2019: Completed Doctoral Program at the University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Major in International Regional Technology Development Science
2020: Lecturer, Niigata University of Food and Agriculture
2022: Associate Professor, same institution
2024: Professor, same institution
■ AgriFuture Japan (https://www.afj.or.jp)
Location: 5th Floor, Norinchukin Bank Shinagawa Training Center, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Chairman: Hiroki Gose (Former Deputy Chief Commentator, NHK Commentary Department)
Established: February 2012
Number of Members: 205 (as of October 31, 2025)
Business Activities: Operation of the AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management, research and studies in the agricultural sector, etc.
■ About the AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management
Opened in April 2013 under the name "Japan Academy for Agricultural Management" with the goal of fostering the next generation of agricultural managers.
To respond to changes in the environment surrounding agriculture and educational needs, the curriculum was revised under the new mission of "fostering human resources to transform agriculture" and "raising the management capabilities of the entire agricultural industry." In the 2023 fiscal year, the name was changed to "AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management," incorporating the AFJ (AgriFuture Japan) brand, and a new educational curriculum was launched.
"AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management Online School" (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)
Provides courses tailored to the learning, skills, and specific challenges required based on years of farming experience and management stage. Features an online-centered learning style that allows for balancing studies with work.
"AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management Innovator Training Academy" (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/innovator/)
An academy offering a practice-oriented curriculum for individuals looking to create new value or solve problems in the agribusiness sector. Participants move from idea generation to hypothesis testing and plan formulation in as little as one year.
■ List of AgriFuture Japan Members
[Image of member list]
(1) Details of the New Appointment
Director (Non-executive): Hiroko Aoyama
(2) Date of Appointment
March 26, 2026
(3) Term of Office
Until the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of members for the 15th fiscal year (scheduled for late June 2027, in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation).
[Biography of the New Director]
Name: Hiroko Aoyama
Education:
March 1986: Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Department of British and American Studies
March 2019: Completed Doctoral Program at the University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Major in International Regional Technology Development Science
Professional History:
1986: Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Department of British and American Studies; worked at Japan Travel Bureau (JTB); studied abroad at Yonsei University in South Korea.
After returning to Japan, worked at the Korean-affiliated trading company Hanwha Japan and Funai Consulting Inc.
2019: Completed Doctoral Program at the University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Major in International Regional Technology Development Science
2020: Lecturer, Niigata University of Food and Agriculture
2022: Associate Professor, same institution
2024: Professor, same institution
■ AgriFuture Japan (https://www.afj.or.jp)
Location: 5th Floor, Norinchukin Bank Shinagawa Training Center, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Chairman: Hiroki Gose (Former Deputy Chief Commentator, NHK Commentary Department)
Established: February 2012
Number of Members: 205 (as of October 31, 2025)
Business Activities: Operation of the AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management, research and studies in the agricultural sector, etc.
■ About the AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management
Opened in April 2013 under the name "Japan Academy for Agricultural Management" with the goal of fostering the next generation of agricultural managers.
To respond to changes in the environment surrounding agriculture and educational needs, the curriculum was revised under the new mission of "fostering human resources to transform agriculture" and "raising the management capabilities of the entire agricultural industry." In the 2023 fiscal year, the name was changed to "AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management," incorporating the AFJ (AgriFuture Japan) brand, and a new educational curriculum was launched.
"AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management Online School" (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)
Provides courses tailored to the learning, skills, and specific challenges required based on years of farming experience and management stage. Features an online-centered learning style that allows for balancing studies with work.
"AFJ Japan Academy for Agricultural Management Innovator Training Academy" (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/innovator/)
An academy offering a practice-oriented curriculum for individuals looking to create new value or solve problems in the agribusiness sector. Participants move from idea generation to hypothesis testing and plan formulation in as little as one year.
■ List of AgriFuture Japan Members
[Image of member list]