Shoshiro Yamamoto is a 2025 Nuffield Japan Scholar and the founder of a thriving plum farming and processing enterprise in Japan. For the past five years, he has managed a 100,000 square meter plum farm, producing premium-quality Umeboshi, a traditional Japanese pickled plum. Shoshiro founded his company in 2019, which has since grown to 32 members, generating an annual turnover of 300 million yen.
With a vision to make Ume the world's leading plum brand, Shoshiro uses social media to share insights into the cultivation and processing of his plums. Last year, he expanded his operations by building an Umeboshi factory where plums are pickled with salt and Japanese herbs, adding unique value to this traditional product.
Shoshiro's Nuffield research focuses on creating added value in regions where land consolidation is slow, a challenge in Japan's steep and fragmented terrain. He believes Japan's agricultural strength lies in branding and quality rather than competing on cost. Shoshiro plans to study successful regional branding strategies for kiwifruit in New Zealand, wine in France, and olives in Italy to apply similar principles to Japanese agriculture.
By innovating beyond traditional practices, Shoshiro is committed to revitalising Japan's agricultural industry and inspiring future generations.
