06.03.2026 15:34
Masataka Miyazono, who heads one of the world's largest pension funds, shifted his focus to agriculture after a career in the financial sector. The 72-year-old Miyazono began consulting for a company that produces tomatoes and strawberries, emphasizing the strategic importance of agriculture in the future. Managing assets of approximately $2 trillion, Miyazono will now lead a team of three.
Masataka Miyazono, the former president of Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), chose to pursue a different field instead of continuing his career in the finance world after stepping down. Miyazono decided to focus on agricultural investments, especially in Japan, where the farmer population is rapidly aging.
THEY GROW TOMATOES AND STRAWBERRIES
According to Bloomberg, Miyazono joined Hulic Co. as a consultant, a company looking to expand new revenue streams outside of real estate. The company plans to invest approximately 700 billion yen (4.4 billion dollars) by 2029. Hulic produces tomatoes and strawberries in Japan while growing chrysanthemums in Vietnam.
The company aims to provide financial support to farmers to increase production in the agricultural sector and help find a new generation of producers to take over from aging farmers. Miyazono emphasized that increasing efficiency is necessary for the sustainability of agriculture.
"AGRICULTURE NEEDS TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT"
Miyazono stated, "Agriculture needs to become more efficient to strengthen Japan's sustainability. It is difficult for farmers to achieve this alone; it is important for companies to be involved in the process."
The rapidly aging population in Japan not only puts pressure on public finances but also reduces the number of people working in agricultural production. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the number of workers in the sector has halved over the past 20 years, dropping to approximately 1.1 million by 2024. The average age of farmers has risen to 69.2.
HE MANAGED 2 TRILLION DOLLARS, NOW A TEAM OF 3 WILL MANAGE IT
Miyazono, who led GPIF managing approximately 2 trillion dollars in assets, is now working on agricultural investments within a small team of just three people.