IUJ Top Global University Project Symposium “The Future of Food, Agriculture, and Community in the Digital Age”, August 28th

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International University of Japan Top Global University Project Symposium

“The Future of Food, Agriculture, and Community in the Digital Age”

Hosted by IUJ    /    Supported by Minamiuonuma City

The city of Minamiuonuma in Niigata Prefecture is a well-known rice-producing region where many types of farmers are engaged in the agricultural business, from part-time farmers to agricultural corporations. Many brand-name products have also come out of this region, making the most of the region’s agricultural produce. The rich food culture of the region has captivated many people in both Japan and overseas.

On the other hand, like other farming regions, the problems of the increasingly advanced age of its farmers and a shortage of farm labor are unavoidable challenges for Minamiuonuma. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) has established a Digital Transformation (DX) in Agriculture Initiative (MAFF, March 2021) with the aim of leveraging digital technology to achieve commercial agriculture that is highly efficient and an agricultural industry that is able to identify consumer needs accurately.

In this symposium, people from various sectors, including industry, government, academia, and the general public, will discuss their latest efforts and experiences, as well as challenges and prospects for the future, with a focus on “food and agriculture,” “utilization of ICT,” and “regional revitalization.”

We invite you to share the challenges that society and local communities are facing today and to consider together with us the future of food, agriculture, and community.

 

*ICT: Information and Communication Technology

 

◇ Date：Saturday, August 28, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.)
◇ Venue：Main Hall, Minamiuonuma Civic Hall (live streaming via Zoom Video Webinar also available)
◇ Language：Japanese（English simultaneous interpretation available）
◇ Open to：Anyone who is interested in this event.
◇ Fee：For free
◇ How to register：Please register from the form below (the first 500 to arrive)

 

Program

＜ Opening  ＞【14:00】

Opening Remarks  〈5 min.〉
Dr. Hiroyuki Itami, President of International University of Japan

Guest-of-honor’s Speech〈5 min.〉
Ms. Michi Yoshioka, Office for International Planning, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Keynote Address: “For the Sustainable Growth of Minamiuonuma City Through Collaboration Between the Industry,Government, and Academic Sectors and Regional Communities”〈15 min.〉
Mr. Shigeo Hayashi, Mayor of Minamiuonuma City

< Presentations >【14:30~】

“Digital Transformation (DX) in Agriculture Initiative. 
　Carving out the Future of Food and Agriculture Through ‘Agriculture x Digital’”〈15 min.〉
Ms. Asuka Abe, the Policy Planning Division, Ministers Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

“From Uonuma to the World. Contributing to the Region Through Business Activities”〈15 min.〉
Mr. Jiro Nagumo, President of Hakkaisan Brewery Co., Ltd.

“Efforts on Revitalization of Agriculture”〈15 min.〉
Mr. Wataru Nakajima, President of Orasho no Yasai Co., Ltd., Mr. Akinari Ozawa, Representative, Ozawa Farm, and Mr. SadaoMezaki, President of Yamato Foods Co.,Ltd.

“IUJ’s Efforts and Outcomes of Education of Human Resources Related to Food, Agriculture, and Digital Transformation”
①Introduction of DX Program
Prof. Hyunkoo Lee, Dean of Graduate School of International Management〈10 min.〉
②Introduction of Agriculture Course
Prof. Tsutomu Yokose, Graduate School of International Management, and current students〈10 min.〉

Q&A Session〈10 min.〉

 

——- 10-minute Interval ——-

 

< Panel Discussion >

Panel Discussion (1) Use of Technology and Promotion of Industry【16:00~】

Mr. Masao Ishida, Director for Policy Office, Agricultural Affairs Division, Niigata Prefectural Government.

Mr. Kazuhito Kamiya, President, Biomass Resin Holdings Co., Ltd.

Mr. Satoshi Koike, President, Vegetalia, Inc.

Ms. Naho Kobayashi, The Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM) Chief scientist/producer, IUJ ★Moderator

 

Panel discussion (2) Utilization of regional resources and globalization【16:45~】

Mr. Katsutoshi Koshigoe, General Manager, Department of Industrial Promotion, Minamiuonuma City

Mr. Yu Toyonaga, EcoRice Niigata Inc.

Prof. Noboru Yamaguchi, Graduate School of International Relations

Assistant Prof. Eiki Kikuchi, Researcher, The Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM), IUJ ★Moderator

 

Closing remarks
Prof. Hiroshi Kato, Vice President of IUJ and Director of Headquarters, Top Global University Project【17:25~】

Registration

Please register from the registration form　【Deadline: Wednesday, August 25】

 

※Those who register for “online” will be provided a URL by email by the day before this event.
※We appreciate your cooperation for taking your temperature and sanitizing your hands at the entrance of the venue.

 

 

 

 

Contact

Office of Top Global University Project
International University of Japan
TEL：025-779-1459　　MAIL：sgu@iuj.ac.jp