Born in Kumamoto Prefecture. Dropped out of Kumamoto University and participated in establishing a software development venture. Developed a Japanese word processor that became a bestseller during the 8-bit era as a software engineer. From 1987 to 1998, held key positions in product marketing and strategic planning at Lotus Corporation (now IBM Japan).
From 1987 to 1990, engaged in mission-critical system development at Digital Equipment Japan (now HP Japan).
From 1990 to 1991, participated in the Japanese localization project of NeXT Operating System at Canon Inc.
From 1991 to 1998, led product development of business applications at Lotus Corporation (now IBM Japan) (as a manager).
Founded Infoteria (now Asteria) Corporation in 1998.
Founded in 1998, Infoteria Corporation (now: Asteria)
Yoichiro Hirano and Yoshiyuki Kitahara founded our company (originally Infoteria Corporation)
Launched the world's first commercial XML engine "iPEX"
" : Handbook : " ranked first in market share in two categories of the sales enablement tool market.
The number of companies adopting " : ASTERIA Warp : " exceeded 3,000.
Celebrated 1,000 contracts for Handbook : and signed a conservation agreement for "Senbonzakura" in Kakunodate, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture.
Launched " : JPYC Gateway : " to facilitate the use of stablecoins in companies, and "JPYC Explorer," an accounting audit support tool for JPYC.
Acquired US company Extentech, making it a 100% subsidiary.
Ranked No.1 in the domestic market share for the " : ASTERIA Warp : " EAI/ESB product for 10 consecutive years.
Launched "Gravio 3," an AI-enabled IoT integrated edge software.
Achieved No.1 market share in Japan for product sales in the SaaS mobile content management market with " : Handbook : ."}]}
Launched "XML Solution Components"
ASTERIA Warp's subscription version "ASTERIA Warp Core" has been launched
" : Handbook : / : Handbook X : " has achieved No.1 in three categories of the MCM market
Design business, starting business expansion in Japan
The number of " : Handbook : " installations has exceeded 600
Went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in 2007.
In 2007, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market
From 2008 to 2011, served as a visiting professor at Aoyama Gakuin University Graduate School while working in the main business.
Appointed as a special professor at Kyoto University Graduate School of Management from April 2023.
During today’s board meeting, the final dividend forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2027 was revised, increasing the dividend from the previous forecast of 10 yen to 11 yen. The new forecast is scheduled to be finalized at the board meeting held in May 2027. Please refer to the PDF for details.
During the second quarter of the fiscal year 2027, we recognized an impairment loss of 284 million yen on investment securities. As a result, the cumulative period net gain for the consolidated financial statements is 1,766 million yen less, and this amount is recorded as "Other Income" on the consolidated income statement.
Astera Corporation announced its consolidated performance for the second quarter of FY2027 (April 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026). Revenue was 177.0 million yen, up 10.1% year‑over‑year; operating profit was 210.8 million yen, up 302.6% year‑over‑year; pre‑tax profit was 210.6 million yen, up 347.8% year‑over‑year; and diluted earnings attributable to owners of the parent were 168.0 million yen, up 290.9% year‑over‑year.
A survey conducted by Asteria of more than 8,000 finance, accounting, and bookkeeping professionals found that overall awareness of stablecoins was 29.9%, rising to 42.5% among large enterprises with 300 or more employees. Of those aware of stablecoins, 61.2% saw their appeal, citing expectations for faster transfers and lower fees. The most frequently cited challenge in international payments was high fees, at 31.8%.
Astelia and Astelia Canvas announced that they are equipping "Platio Canvas AI" and "Bakusoku.AI" with AI automated testing and AI vulnerability checking functions. The automated testing function verifies the operation of generated applications and fixes bugs, while the vulnerability checking function automatically identifies vulnerabilities.
Astelia Inc., Spingence Technology, and Edgino Technologies have launched an Edge AI integrated solution that interconnects the products and technologies of the three companies. This enables advanced security and data governance even in environments not connected to the cloud, allowing comprehensive analysis, decision-making, control, and notification of on-site data obtained from cameras and sensors.
Astelia Corporation and Central Reconstruction Consultants Corporation proposed an abandoned bicycle management project using the no-code app Platio as part of Kumamoto City's Smart City Kumamoto Promotion Public-Private Partnership Platform, and the pilot project was selected. Platio is a field-oriented business application platform aimed at streamlining abandoned bicycle management operations. Kumamoto City is advancing initiatives to use ICT technology to centralize the removal of abandoned bicycles and enhance information management.
Asteria Corporation's flagship product, ASTERIA Warp, ranked No. 1 in Japan's EAI/ESB software market by share for the 20th consecutive year in 2025. Its ability to connect with many systems without coding has driven wider adoption. Growing demand for data preparation and post-processing for AI applications has also contributed.
Asteria Corporation and its subsidiary introduced the AI-native business platform Bakusoku.AI at JA Higashi-Biwako in Shiga Prefecture. Frontline staff can create and run business applications through conversations with AI. The platform is helping improve quality control and administrative efficiency and advance digital transformation in the region.
Astera Corporation has begun providing the adapter "Collaboration Flow for ASTERIA Warp" in partnership with Collaboration Style to promote business DX. This enables automatic synchronization of organizational and personnel data between the HR system and Collaboration Flow.