Expert Guidance Every Step of the Way: Meet the Support Team Behind TYPICA Direct Quote™
TYPICA Direct Quote™ is a platform that enables you to send quotation requests directly to coffee producers whose credibility has been verified by TYPICA, making direct trade easier than ever. But what we provide is more than just a digital platform.
Successful direct trade requires not only technology, but also reliable local intelligence and deep industry expertise from professionals who understand the needs of coffee buyers. Alongside the trust that comes from being officially recognized by both the Japanese and Brazilian governments, TYPICA Direct Quote™ is supported by experienced coffee professionals who work closely with you throughout the sourcing process.
Today, we’d like to introduce the teams and the people behind that support.
Two Professional Teams Supporting Your Coffee Sourcing
Behind TYPICA Direct Quote™ are two dedicated teams working together to help you source coffee with confidence.
Brazil Team (Local Operations)
Since establishing our Brazilian office in 2025, TYPICA has built a local team consisting of one Japanese staff member and two Brazilian professionals.
By visiting farms daily, expanding relationships with producers, and staying close to harvest activities, they gather first-hand information on crop conditions, quality, and market developments.
Yoshiki Hamana Head of Brazil Operations
Born in Mie Prefecture in 1989, Yoshiki completed his Master’s degree in Agricultural Science at Nagoya University before joining Ajinomoto AGF in 2014. There, he specialized in coffee roasting technology, sensory analysis, and product development. In 2022, he joined Ajinomoto’s new business development division. After relocating to São Paulo, Brazil, in 2024, he joined TYPICA in April 2025. He now leads TYPICA’s Brazil operations, overseeing business development, quality management, and producer relations.
Hugo Mesquita Community Manager
Hugo began working on coffee farms in Sul de Minas, Brazil, at the age of 17, where he discovered his passion for connecting Brazilian coffee with the world.
At 19, he earned a scholarship to study in Japan, receiving both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in International Business from Tokyo University of Agriculture while also becoming fluent in English and Spanish.
After graduation, he worked at IBC Corporation, handling coffee imports, new business development, and product development. Returning to Brazil in 2023, he began supporting connections between coffee producers in his hometown of Três Pontas and Japanese buyers.
Today at TYPICA, Hugo focuses on building long-term, sustainable relationships between Brazilian coffee producers and buyers around the world.
Coffee Expert Team
Our Coffee Experts work closely with buyers, helping them select the most suitable lots and define quotation requests that match their sourcing objectives.
Ryota Shinagawa Executive Officer
After graduating from the University of Tokyo, Ryota joined Marubeni Corporation, where he spent ten years trading green coffee. Throughout his career, he managed every stage of the supply chain, including sourcing, sales, logistics, quality management, and supply-demand planning.
During his assignments in Brazil and Vietnam, he also helped establish local sourcing operations, manage overseas businesses, and launch new processing facilities.
He joined TYPICA in 2024 and currently leads relationships with major buyers. Since August 2025, he has served as Executive Officer, leading producer partnerships and designing the systems that enable efficient quotation and sourcing.
Shota Matsushita Strategic Partner
Born in Osaka in 1985, Shota graduated from Ritsumeikan University before joining Ishimitsu & Co., Ltd. in 2008.
His career includes green coffee quality control, developing coffee trading operations in Shanghai, sourcing from producing countries including Brazil, domestic sales in Japan, and coffee product marketing.
He joined TYPICA in 2023 and now supports strategic sourcing for major roasting companies.
Yuta Miyagaki Strategic Partner
Born in Tokyo in 1991, Yuta graduated from Meiji University before joining Sumisho Foods Corporation.
He managed certified coffee sourcing, quality control, logistics, and sales before expanding into beverage ingredients and launching a matcha export business. In 2021, he also led collaborative projects with TYPICA.
Following a two-and-a-half-year assignment in New York overseeing pork procurement and quality management—including launching Brazilian pork imports—he joined TYPICA in October 2025, where he supports large-scale coffee buyers.
Technology Backed by People
You may be thinking:
“I’m interested, but I’m not sure how to define the quotation requirements.”
Or perhaps:
“I’d like to speak with an experienced coffee professional before getting started.”
At TYPICA, our local teams strengthen relationships with producers, while our Coffee Experts work alongside buyers to understand their sourcing challenges and business goals.
We believe that only by combining these two perspectives can buyers make confident sourcing decisions—even in today’s uncertain coffee market.
Before submitting your first quotation request, why not start with a complimentary online consultation?
Our Coffee Experts can help you with:
- Questions about your current sourcing strategy
- How to get the most out of TYPICA Direct Quote™
- Identifying producers that best match your business needs
No question is too small.
Simply choose a convenient date and time through our online booking page, and your consultation will be confirmed in just one click.
Our entire team is committed to helping TYPICA Direct Quote™ become your most valuable sourcing partner.