Online Seminar to Introduce New Possibilities in Agribusiness! ~Innovation Paves the Way for the Future of Agribusiness~
AgriFuture Japan, a general incorporated association, will host an online seminar series to explore new possibilities in agribusiness. The first session on June 18th will feature the CEO of Agnavi Inc., a company that develops "ICHI-GO-CAN®" small-volume aluminum cans for sake, discussing structural challenges and distribution reforms in the sake industry.
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General Incorporated Association AgriFuture Japan (President: Hiroki Gose, Minato-ku, Tokyo) will deliver a series of online seminars featuring individuals actively involved in the agribusiness sector and experts specializing in innovation and new business support. They will discuss new possibilities in agribusiness, the latest business trends, and innovative ideas.
The first session of the year, to be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, will feature Mr. Narihide Gen, Representative Director of Agnavi Inc., which develops "ICHI-GO-CAN®" small-volume aluminum cans for sake, promoting distribution reform and connection to the global market for traditional industries. He will speak on the topic of "~Innovation Paves the Way for the Future of Agribusiness~ Why Did Japanese Sake Lose Globally? — The "ICHI-GO-CAN® (180mL) Revolution" Redesigning Distribution," addressing solutions to structural issues in the 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 invite anyone interested in creating new value or solving challenges in the agribusiness sector to participate.
● About this Seminar
■ Seminar Contents
✓ "Structural Challenges of the Japanese Sake Industry"
Constraints on distribution, preservability, 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/transformation of consumption experience through small-volume packaging.
✓ "Potential for Innovation Originating from Japanese Sake"
Global expansion utilizing regional resources, and the outlook for new industrial models as a "redesign of structure."
■ Recommended for
✓ Those considering starting a business or launching a new venture in the agribusiness sector.
✓ Those who wish to solve social issues through agribusiness.
✓ Those who wish to bring about change in current agricultural management.
■ Application Method
✓ Application 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. in 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. and transferred the company. In 2020, he established Agnavi Inc. and launched "ICHI-GO-CAN®." Partnering with over 160 sake breweries nationwide, he has expanded sales channels domestically and internationally. As a student, he successfully raised over 45 million JPY through crowdfunding, working to transform the structure of the sake industry from both research and business perspectives.
● About the Organizer
■ General Incorporated Association AgriFuture Japan (https://www.afj.or.jp)
Location: 5th Floor, Norinchukin Bank Shinagawa Training Center, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
President: Hiroki Gose (Former Deputy Chief Commentator, NHK Commentator's Bureau)
Established: February 2012
Number of Members: 205 (as of October 31, 2025)
Business Activities: Operation of AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management, research and studies in the agricultural sector, etc.
■ About AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management
Opened in April 2013 under the name "Japan Institute of Agricultural Management" with the aim of nurturing next-generation agricultural managers.
In response to changes in the agricultural environment and educational needs, the curriculum was reviewed under the new missions of "nurturing human resources to transform agriculture" and "improving the management capabilities of the entire agricultural sector." From FY2023, the name was changed to "AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management" (AFJ: AgriFuture Japan), and new educational programs were launched.
"AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management Online School" (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)
Offers courses tailored to the learning, skills, and problem-solving needs required at different years of farming experience and management stages. A key feature is the online-centric learning style, which allows for balancing with work.
"AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management Innovator Training Academy" (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/innovator/)
An academy offering a practical curriculum for individuals who wish to create new value or solve challenges in the agribusiness sector. Idea generation, hypothesis testing, and plan formulation are conducted in as little as one year.
■ AgriFuture Japan Member List
Keywords:
The first session of the year, to be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, will feature Mr. Narihide Gen, Representative Director of Agnavi Inc., which develops "ICHI-GO-CAN®" small-volume aluminum cans for sake, promoting distribution reform and connection to the global market for traditional industries. He will speak on the topic of "~Innovation Paves the Way for the Future of Agribusiness~ Why Did Japanese Sake Lose Globally? — The "ICHI-GO-CAN® (180mL) Revolution" Redesigning Distribution," addressing solutions to structural issues in the 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 invite anyone interested in creating new value or solving challenges in the agribusiness sector to participate.
● About this Seminar
■ Seminar Contents
✓ "Structural Challenges of the Japanese Sake Industry"
Constraints on distribution, preservability, 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/transformation of consumption experience through small-volume packaging.
✓ "Potential for Innovation Originating from Japanese Sake"
Global expansion utilizing regional resources, and the outlook for new industrial models as a "redesign of structure."
■ Recommended for
✓ Those considering starting a business or launching a new venture in the agribusiness sector.
✓ Those who wish to solve social issues through agribusiness.
✓ Those who wish to bring about change in current agricultural management.
■ Application Method
✓ Application 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. in 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. and transferred the company. In 2020, he established Agnavi Inc. and launched "ICHI-GO-CAN®." Partnering with over 160 sake breweries nationwide, he has expanded sales channels domestically and internationally. As a student, he successfully raised over 45 million JPY through crowdfunding, working to transform the structure of the sake industry from both research and business perspectives.
● About the Organizer
■ General Incorporated Association AgriFuture Japan (https://www.afj.or.jp)
Location: 5th Floor, Norinchukin Bank Shinagawa Training Center, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
President: Hiroki Gose (Former Deputy Chief Commentator, NHK Commentator's Bureau)
Established: February 2012
Number of Members: 205 (as of October 31, 2025)
Business Activities: Operation of AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management, research and studies in the agricultural sector, etc.
■ About AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management
Opened in April 2013 under the name "Japan Institute of Agricultural Management" with the aim of nurturing next-generation agricultural managers.
In response to changes in the agricultural environment and educational needs, the curriculum was reviewed under the new missions of "nurturing human resources to transform agriculture" and "improving the management capabilities of the entire agricultural sector." From FY2023, the name was changed to "AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management" (AFJ: AgriFuture Japan), and new educational programs were launched.
"AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management Online School" (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)
Offers courses tailored to the learning, skills, and problem-solving needs required at different years of farming experience and management stages. A key feature is the online-centric learning style, which allows for balancing with work.
"AFJ Japan Institute of Agricultural Management Innovator Training Academy" (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/innovator/)
An academy offering a practical curriculum for individuals who wish to create new value or solve challenges in the agribusiness sector. Idea generation, hypothesis testing, and plan formulation are conducted in as little as one year.
■ AgriFuture Japan Member List
Keywords: