Announcement Regarding the Appointment of a New Director

General Incorporated Association AgriFuture Japan, which operates AFJ Japan College of Agricultural Management, announced that a resolution was made regarding the appointment of a new director at the extraordinary general meeting of members for fiscal year 2025 held on March 26, 2026, as follows.

(1) Details of the New Appointment

Director (Part-time) 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 business year (scheduled for late June 2027, as per the articles of incorporation).

[Brief Biography of the New Director]

Name

Hiroko Aoyama

Education

March 1986: Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Department of English and American Studies

March 2019: Completed doctoral program (International Geo-Environmental Technology Development Science) at the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba

Career History

1986: Graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Department of English and American Studies; worked at Japan Travel Bureau (JTB); studied abroad at Yonsei University in Korea. After returning to Japan, worked at Hanwha Japan (a Korean trading company) and Funai Consulting.

2019: Completed doctoral program (International Geo-Environmental Technology Development Science) at the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba

2020: Lecturer at Niigata University of Agriculture and Food Sciences

2022: Associate Professor at the same university

2024: Professor at the same university

General Incorporated Association AgriFuture Japan (https://www.afj.or.jp)

Location: Norin Chukin Shinagawa Training Center 5F, 2-10-13 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Chairman: Hiroki Gose (Former Deputy Chief Commentator, NHK Commentary Bureau)

Established: February 2012

Number of Members: 205 members (as of October 31, 2025)

Business Activities: Operation of AFJ Japan College of Agricultural Management, research and studies in the agricultural sector, etc.

About AFJ Japan College of Agricultural Management

Opened in April 2013 under the name 'Japan College of Agricultural Management' with the aim of fostering next-generation agricultural managers.

To respond to changes in the agricultural environment and educational needs, the curriculum was reviewed under the new mission of 'nurturing talent to transform agriculture' and 'raising the management capabilities of the entire agricultural sector'. From fiscal year 2023, the name was changed to 'AFJ Japan College of Agricultural Management', prefixed with AFJ (AgriFuture Japan), and new educational programs commenced.

'AFJ Japan College of Agricultural Management Online School' (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/onlineschool/)

Offers courses tailored to the learning and skills required at different stages of farming experience and management, as well as solutions to specific challenges. A key feature is the online-centric learning style, allowing compatibility with work.

'AFJ Japan College of Agricultural Management Innovator Training Academy' (https://www.afj.or.jp/jaiam/innovator/)

An academy offering a practical curriculum for individuals who want to create new value or address challenges in the agri-business domain. Ideas generation, hypothesis testing, and planning are conducted in as little as one year.

List of AgriFuture Japan Members