Dedicated to building insights for the social implementation of food tech. Akiko combines business strategy, technology, and humanities perspectives, while delving into the essence of food tech that holds significance for humanity’s future. She has previously served as a research specialist at McKinsey & Company. In 2017, she joined SIGMAXYZ and launched the Global Food Tech Summit “SKS Japan”. Currently, as an Insight Specialist at UnlocX, she is engaged in building and disseminating insights related to food innovation. Co-authored “Food Tech Revolution” (2020/Nikkei BP) and "Future of Food created through FoodTech" (2025/PHP).

In 2004, he returned to Kyoto and started working in the kitchen, and is currently the head chef, managing the kitchen while also managing the Japanese restaurant. His activities extend beyond the restaurant itself, as he also gives cooking classes at elementary schools for nutrition education, at culinary schools, for the general public and overseas, making use of his vegetable sommelier qualification. He also works with government and government agencies to promote agricultural, forestry and fishery products from Kyoto and other parts of Japan, and to pass on food culture.

Completed the doctoral program in Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University. Ph.D. (Agriculture). Specializes in sensory science in food research and culinary science. Main research themes include the effects of foods on mood states and autonomic nervous system activity, among others. Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Ryukoku University, Director of the University’s Food Preference Research Center, and Board Member of the Japanese Culinary Academy (NPO).

Joined FUJI OIL in 1995 and engaged in developing new soy protein materials at the Central Research Institute. In 2015, became Group Leader of the New Material Creation Group at the Future Creation Research Institute, leading research on "deliciousness." Based on technologies developed through this research, launched the technical brand MIRACORE® in 2021. Appointed General Manager of the Fundamental Seasoning Business Development Department in 2023, and since 2024 has served as General Manager of the Fundamental Seasoning Business Department. Currently driving business initiatives to deliver new value to society.