A seasoned Japanese expert in fisheries economics, Dr Sajiki was welcomed by SEAFDEC/AQD chief Dan Baliao on 4 April at the organisation’s headquarters in Tigbauan Main Station in Iloilo, Philippines.
Prior to his new role, Dr Sajiki served as chief scientist at the Fisheries Technology Institute of the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (J-FRA) since 2017. There, he led economic analyses of hygiene management practices in farmed shrimp in Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.
From 2014 to 2017, he held leadership positions at the Fisheries Research Agency (FRA), where he focused on optimising small-scale yellowtail farming and evaluating the profitability of new aquaculture technologies. Earlier in his career, he also held coordinating roles in research planning and public relations at the FRA.
“We are honoured to welcome Dr Sajiki to our leadership team,” said Baliao. “His background in aquaculture and economics will be instrumental as we continue aligning science with real-world solutions, making aquaculture more sustainable and economically viable for the region.”
Dr Sajiki succeeds Dr Sayaka Ito, who served as deputy chief from October 2020 to March 2025, and will hold the post until March 2027.
His appointment was endorsed by the Government of Japan and formalised by the SEAFDEC secretary-general. Alongside his leadership duties, he will also co-manage the Japanese Trust Fund, which funds several research activities at SEAFDEC/AQD.
Dr Sajiki earned his master of agriculture and doctorate of agriculture degrees from Hokkaido University, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship under the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) in the same university.
