Online Seminar to Introduce New Possibilities in Agri-business! ~Innovation Paving the Way for the Future of Agri-business~
AgriFuture Japan, a general incorporated association, will host an online seminar series exploring new possibilities in agri-business. The first session, on June 18, 2026, will feature Mr. Narihide Gen, CEO of Agnavi Inc., who will speak on structural reforms in the Japanese sake industry, focusing on their small-volume aluminum can, "ICHI-GO-CAN®."
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AgriFuture Japan (Chairman: Hiroki Gose, Minato-ku, Tokyo), a general incorporated association, will deliver a series of online seminars featuring individuals actively involved in the agri-business sector and experts specializing in innovation and new business support. These seminars will discuss new possibilities in agri-business, the latest business trends, and ideas leading to innovation.
The first session of the year will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Mr. Narihide Gen, Representative Director of Agnavi Inc., which develops the small-volume aluminum can "ICHI-GO-CAN®" for Japanese sake and promotes distribution reform and connection to global markets for traditional industries, will speak on the topic: "~Innovation Paving the Way for the Future of Agri-business~ Why Japanese Sake Lost Globally — The 'ICHI-GO-CAN® (180mL) Revolution' Redesigning Distribution." He will discuss solutions to structural issues in the Japanese sake industry and the outlook for new industrial models through distribution redesign. Additionally, during this seminar, we will introduce our organization's 'Innovator Training Academy' and 'Online School.' We encourage anyone interested in creating new value or solving problems in the agri-business sector to participate.
● About This Seminar
■ Seminar Content
✓ "Structural Issues of the Japanese Sake Industry"
Constraints on distribution, preservation, and consumption scenes, and factors preventing full competitiveness in the global market.
✓ "Structural Redesign by ICHI-GO-CAN®"
Supply chain reform through aluminum can format and market creation/consumption experience transformation through small volumes.
✓ "Potential for Sake-Driven Innovation"
Global expansion utilizing regional resources and the outlook for new industrial models as "structural redesign."
■ Recommended for:
✓ Those considering starting a business or new ventures in the agri-business sector.
✓ Those who want to solve social issues through agri-business.
✓ Those who want to bring about change in current agricultural management.
■ Application Method
✓ Apply via Peatix
URL here
▷ https://afj-online-seminar-2026-ichi-go-can.peatix.com
■ Speaker Profile
Mr. Narihide Gen
Representative Director, Agnavi Inc. / Visiting Associate Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture
Born in Gunma Prefecture. After graduating from Hakodate La Salle Junior and Senior High School, he entered Tokyo University of Agriculture, majoring in agricultural chemistry, and obtained a Ph.D. (Agricultural Chemistry). He studied abroad at Cornell University in the United States and engaged in research on essential amino acids and nationally designated intractable diseases. While still a student, he founded Agripay Inc., which was later transferred. In 2020, he established Agnavi Inc. and launched "ICHI-GO-CAN®." He has partnered with over 160 sake breweries nationwide, expanding sales channels both domestically and internationally. During his student years, he achieved over 45 million JPY in crowdfunding, working on structural reform of the Japanese sake industry from both research and business perspectives.
● About the Organizer
■ AgriFuture Japan, a general incorporated association (https://www.afj.or.jp)
Location: 5F Norinchukin Bank Shinagawa Training Center, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Chairman: Hiroki Gose (Former Deputy Chief Commentator, NHK Commentator's Office)
Established: February 2012
Number of members: 205 members (as of October 31, 2025)
Business activities: Operation of AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College, research in the agricultural field, etc.
■ About AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College
Opened in April 2013 under the name 'Japan Agricultural Management College' with the aim of fostering next-generation agricultural managers.
To respond to changes in the agricultural environment and educational needs, the curriculum was revised under new missions: "fostering human resources who transform agriculture" and "raising the management capabilities of the entire agricultural sector." From fiscal year 2023, it was renamed 'AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College' (AgriFuture Japan) and began offering a new curriculum.
'AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College Online School' (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)
Offers courses tailored to the learning and skill needs, and problem-solving required at different stages of farming experience and management. Its online-centric learning style makes it possible to balance with work.
'AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College Innovator Training Academy' (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/innovator/)
An academy offering a practical curriculum for individuals who want to create new value and solve problems in the agri-business sector. It covers idea generation, hypothesis testing, and plan formulation in as little as one year.
■ AgriFuture Japan Member List
Keywords:
The first session of the year will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Mr. Narihide Gen, Representative Director of Agnavi Inc., which develops the small-volume aluminum can "ICHI-GO-CAN®" for Japanese sake and promotes distribution reform and connection to global markets for traditional industries, will speak on the topic: "~Innovation Paving the Way for the Future of Agri-business~ Why Japanese Sake Lost Globally — The 'ICHI-GO-CAN® (180mL) Revolution' Redesigning Distribution." He will discuss solutions to structural issues in the Japanese sake industry and the outlook for new industrial models through distribution redesign. Additionally, during this seminar, we will introduce our organization's 'Innovator Training Academy' and 'Online School.' We encourage anyone interested in creating new value or solving problems in the agri-business sector to participate.
● About This Seminar
■ Seminar Content
✓ "Structural Issues of the Japanese Sake Industry"
Constraints on distribution, preservation, and consumption scenes, and factors preventing full competitiveness in the global market.
✓ "Structural Redesign by ICHI-GO-CAN®"
Supply chain reform through aluminum can format and market creation/consumption experience transformation through small volumes.
✓ "Potential for Sake-Driven Innovation"
Global expansion utilizing regional resources and the outlook for new industrial models as "structural redesign."
■ Recommended for:
✓ Those considering starting a business or new ventures in the agri-business sector.
✓ Those who want to solve social issues through agri-business.
✓ Those who want to bring about change in current agricultural management.
■ Application Method
✓ Apply via Peatix
URL here
▷ https://afj-online-seminar-2026-ichi-go-can.peatix.com
■ Speaker Profile
Mr. Narihide Gen
Representative Director, Agnavi Inc. / Visiting Associate Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture
Born in Gunma Prefecture. After graduating from Hakodate La Salle Junior and Senior High School, he entered Tokyo University of Agriculture, majoring in agricultural chemistry, and obtained a Ph.D. (Agricultural Chemistry). He studied abroad at Cornell University in the United States and engaged in research on essential amino acids and nationally designated intractable diseases. While still a student, he founded Agripay Inc., which was later transferred. In 2020, he established Agnavi Inc. and launched "ICHI-GO-CAN®." He has partnered with over 160 sake breweries nationwide, expanding sales channels both domestically and internationally. During his student years, he achieved over 45 million JPY in crowdfunding, working on structural reform of the Japanese sake industry from both research and business perspectives.
● About the Organizer
■ AgriFuture Japan, a general incorporated association (https://www.afj.or.jp)
Location: 5F Norinchukin Bank Shinagawa Training Center, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Chairman: Hiroki Gose (Former Deputy Chief Commentator, NHK Commentator's Office)
Established: February 2012
Number of members: 205 members (as of October 31, 2025)
Business activities: Operation of AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College, research in the agricultural field, etc.
■ About AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College
Opened in April 2013 under the name 'Japan Agricultural Management College' with the aim of fostering next-generation agricultural managers.
To respond to changes in the agricultural environment and educational needs, the curriculum was revised under new missions: "fostering human resources who transform agriculture" and "raising the management capabilities of the entire agricultural sector." From fiscal year 2023, it was renamed 'AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College' (AgriFuture Japan) and began offering a new curriculum.
'AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College Online School' (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)
Offers courses tailored to the learning and skill needs, and problem-solving required at different stages of farming experience and management. Its online-centric learning style makes it possible to balance with work.
'AFJ Japan Agricultural Management College Innovator Training Academy' (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/innovator/)
An academy offering a practical curriculum for individuals who want to create new value and solve problems in the agri-business sector. It covers idea generation, hypothesis testing, and plan formulation in as little as one year.
■ AgriFuture Japan Member List
Keywords: