Advancing "AminoScience" for Climate and Agriculture: The Ajinomoto Group on Innovation and Impact

In this interview with the World Climate Foundation, Mr Shigeo Nakamura, President and CEO of The Ajinomoto Group, reflects on the company’s origins, purpose and the role "AminoScience" can play in addressing global challenges across climate, agriculture and food systems.   

“The purpose of the company is to contribute to the well-being of all human beings, our society and our planet with "AminoScience".”

Looking ahead to 2030, the Group has set two overarching goals: to help extend the healthy life expectancy of one billion people and to cut its own negative environmental impact by 50%. Beyond reducing harm, the company also aims to create a net positive impact through innovations rooted in "AminoScience". A key part of this effort is translating amino acid research into practical solutions for livestock and agriculture.   

The Ajinomoto Group is deeply dependent on nature, with around 70% of its procurement drawn from agriculture, livestock and fisheries. The company maintains strict policies to prevent deforestation in its supply chain. At the same time, there are structural challenges: agriculture generates about 22% of global emissions but receives only 4% of climate finance. This mismatch must be corrected if countries are to meet national climate targets and the goals of the Paris Agreement.  

To scale agricultural solutions that deliver both economic and climate benefits, Nakamura calls for clear rules and risk-reducing measures from governments, greater investment from financiers and continued scientific innovation from companies.  

The interview was recorded at the World Climate Summit & The Investment COP 2025 in Belém. 

Watch the full conversation here:

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Shigeo Nakamura

President and Chief Executive Officer, The Ajinomoto Group

Shigeo Nakamura is President and Chief Executive Officer of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., leading the company’s purpose to contribute to the well-being of people, society, and the planet through “AminoScience.” He joined Ajinomoto Co. in 1992 and helped develop Ajinomoto Build-up Film® (ABF), an insulating material for semiconductor package substrates. In 2022, he transitioned from technology to global business as Executive Officer & Vice President, General Manager for Latin America Division and President of Ajinomoto do Brazil, where he saw firsthand how locally rooted food cultures can strengthen nutrition and sustainable food systems. Appointed CEO in 2025, Nakamura now drives the Ajinomoto Group’s ASV (Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Value) strategy—integrating innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability to achieve its 2030 vision of extending healthy life expectancy of 1 billion people and reducing environmental impact by 50%.