AgriFuture Japan Announces New Director Appointments at Upcoming Meeting

New Director Appointment Announcement by AgriFuture Japan

AgriFuture Japan, the organization that operates the AFJ Japan Agricultural Management School, has made a key decision regarding a new board member in preparation for its extraordinary annual meeting scheduled for March 26, 2026. The addition of Hiroko Aoyama as a part-time director has garnered significant attention as the organization seeks to further bolster its leadership team.

New Board Member

- Name: Hiroko Aoyama

Appointment Date

- Start Date: March 26, 2026

Term Duration

- Aoyama's term will extend until the conclusion of the 15th period regular shareholder meeting, anticipated to be held in late June 2027, as stipulated by the organization's bylaws.

Biography of the New Director

Name: Hiroko Aoyama (青山浩子)

Educational Background:

- Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, specializing in English and American Studies in March 1986.
- Completed a Ph.D. program in International Local Technology Development Sciences at the University of Tsukuba in March 2019.

Career History:

- After graduation in 1986, Aoyama commenced her career at Japan Travel Bureau (JTB).
- She then studied abroad at Yonsei University in South Korea. Upon her return, she worked at Hanwha Japan, a South Korean trading company, followed by a position at Funai Consulting.
- In 2019, she earned her doctorate from the University of Tsukuba.
- She joined Niigata University of Food and Agriculture as a lecturer in 2020, was promoted to associate professor in 2022, and is set to become a full professor in 2024.

About AgriFuture Japan

AgriFuture Japan, established in February 2012, is located in the Minato district of Tokyo at the Shinagawa Training Center, managed by the Central Agricultural Finance Corporation. The organization is led by Hiroki Gouse, the former Deputy Chief in the Commentary Division of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK). As of October 31, 2025, AgriFuture Japan has 205 members and is heavily involved in managing the AFJ Japan Agricultural Management School, along with conducting research related to the agricultural sector.

AFJ Japan Agricultural Management School

Launched in April 2013, the AFJ Japan Agricultural Management School was established to cultivate the next generation of agricultural managers. In response to the evolving agricultural environment and educational needs, the school has revised its mission to produce personnel who can transform agriculture and enhance the overall management capabilities of the industry.

In the fiscal year 2023, the school rebranded itself as AFJ (AgriFuture Japan), reflecting its commitment to providing updated educational programs.

Online School

The AFJ Japan Agricultural Management School offers an online curriculum tailored to participants at various stages of their agricultural careers. The program focuses on essential skills and knowledge aimed at resolving specific challenges faced by learners, with a flexible structure that accommodates their professional commitments.

Innovator Training Academy

Also featured is the AFJ Japan Agricultural Management School Innovator Training Academy, which provides practical-focused curricula designed for those looking to create new value and solve problems within the agribusiness sector. This academy encourages the rapid development of ideas from concept to validation and planning, efficiently carried out within just one year.