Hiroki has a background in public policy and management and previously worked for Ernst and Young (EY)’s consulting division in Tokyo. His recent work focused on research and advising for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) including strategies to support Japanese female entrepreneurs and improve working environments for foreign and immigrant workers in Japan.

Hiroki is an avid traveler and always willing to try new and unusual foods or step into new adventures while exploring Asia or his native Japan. His recent interest is in edible insects. So far he has sampled scorpions, cricket chocolate and waterbug cider and is determined to add to this list in his next travels. He is not only curious about digging deeply into global food systems and agribusiness challenges but also to apply lessons domestically on his own family’s organic vegetable farm start-up in Kochi Prefecture.

Hiroki holds a Master of Economics from Hitotsubashi University and a Master of Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University Australia. A native Japanese speaker and fluent in English.