Experts
Senior Fellow
Hiroyuki Suematsu
Expertise/Areas of interest
Food and agriculture policy (food security, agricultural policy, forestry policy, fisheries policy, food industry policy)
Industrial technology and environmental policy
Academic/Professional Background
Hiroyuki Suematsu graduated from the Faculty of Law, the University of Tokyo, in 1983 and joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). During his career at MAFF, he held a wide range of positions, including roles in the Structural Improvement Bureau, the Food Agency, the National Land Agency’s Disaster Prevention Bureau, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council, the City of Isahaya in Nagasaki Prefecture, the Fisheries Agency’s International Affairs Division, and the Economic Affairs Bureau’s Financial Affairs Division. He also served as Private Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and as Director of the Food Environment Measures Office in the Food Industry Affairs Bureau.
In 2002, he was appointed Counsellor at the Prime Minister’s Office.
From 2006, he served as Director of the Environmental Policy Division, Director of the Planning and Evaluation Division, Director of the Food Security Division, and Director of the Policy Division at MAFF.
In 2010, he became Director-General of the Forestry Agency's Forest Policy Planning Department.
In 2014, he was appointed Director-General of the Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office.
In 2015, he became Director-General of the Rural Development Bureau.
In 2016, he moved to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as Director-General of the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau.
In 2018, he was appointed Administrative Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
He retired from government service in 2020.
He currently serves as Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Institute for Future Initiatives, Senior Research Fellow and Visiting Professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture, and Visiting Professor at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature as well as Doshisha University.
He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration.
From 2006, he served as Director of the Environmental Policy Division, Director of the Planning and Evaluation Division, Director of the Food Security Division, and Director of the Policy Division at MAFF.
In 2010, he became Director-General of the Forestry Agency's Forest Policy Planning Department.
In 2014, he was appointed Director-General of the Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office.
In 2015, he became Director-General of the Rural Development Bureau.
In 2016, he moved to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as Director-General of the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau.
In 2018, he was appointed Administrative Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
He retired from government service in 2020.
He currently serves as Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Institute for Future Initiatives, Senior Research Fellow and Visiting Professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture, and Visiting Professor at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature as well as Doshisha University.
He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration.
As of April 1, 2026