Bio: The 4th generation of the SUGIMOTO Family to take charge of the company from 2020. As CEO Kaz is also in charge of day-to-day operations, sales, and community collaboration. Apart from his day-to-day management activities, Kaz is actively involved in the local community.

Kaz started providing tree logs to grow Shiitake for local growers aiming for the sustainable use of forests. He collaborates closely with disabled workers working at Welfare Facilities to provide work and support. Kaz initiated and currently implementing the Organic Certification process for their growers.

These activities have been recognized and receive strong support from government (METI and MAFF) In 2019, SUGIMOTO Shiitake was selected as "The Driving Company for the Regional Future" by METI"

Owner & CMO Tatsunori "Tony" Sugimoto

Bio: Tony took over the company from his father in 2000, before Kaz

Tony has maintained and strengthened a 1,000-year-old Japanese agriculture tradition by increasing sales in Japan and now globally using modern digital marketing techniques

His initiatives include using Amazon in multiple global regions and pushing the benefits of a sustainable environment and local community to grow Shiitake. He personally writes and tests all Sugimoto Shiitake recipes, including building their video cooking site in English. Moreover, Tony communicates daily with their customers using Facebook and lnstagram

He initially built up his social media skills by supporting a three-year volunteer Program to support Kumamoto earthquake victims.

Last October, Tony gave a presentation introducing Japanese natural log cultivation of Shiitake in India at the "8th Asian-Australasian Conference on Precision Agriculture."