Who is Haruhisa Handa? The billionaire backing NZ Football

Dr Haruhisa Handa at the 2016 BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open. Photosport

Who is Haruhisa Handa and why is the spectacularly successful Japanese billionaire funding New Zealand sport?

That's the question that has emerged from today's announcement that Handa is partnering with New Zealand Football and will sponsor one of the oldest trophies in our sporting history, the Chatham Cup which started in 1923.

Described by Forbes Magazine as "one of the most fascinating and beguiling figures in Japan, Handa is not only a wealthy businessman and philanthropist but is also a Shinto priest, an operatic baritone, an expert calligraphist, artist, specialist in poetry and an avid golfer.

He has performed on the opera stage many times, including with top performers such as Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Renee Fleming as well as pop star Michael Bolton.
His works of art even featured in a British museum exhibition.

Handa is also the founder of ISPS Handa.

The acronym stands for International Sports Promotion Society and the group, formed in 2006, has a growing history of supporting sport in New Zealand.

For four years they were the title sponsor for the New Zealand Women's Open where they played a role in the recovery of Christchurch following the damage caused by the earthquakes.

They are the current naming rights sponsor of the New Zealand Men's golf open in Queenstown and have made significant donations to the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Paralympics New Zealand in recent times.

Handa says he is driven by a "firm belief in the power of sport".

"Sport has a unique ability to create hope, to break down educational and cultural barriers and to inspire people in a unique way," he said.

"Sport brings people together and unites communities around the world."

In a profile, Forbes Magazine, considered a business bible, lauded Handa's passion, describing him as a "global philanthropist" who is "refreshing and courageous" having overcome a conformist society in Japan that was often "curiously suspicious of his efforts".

"Dr Handa is someone to admire and to watch," wrote the magazine. "The breadth and scope of what he contributes not only with his financial support but also with his personal energy and commitment is unique.

"He practices each and every discipline he is involved with philanthropically."

Handa's philanthropy is not limited to sport. He has funded AIDS and HIV youth education in Africa and initiatives around interreligious tolerance and understanding.
Handa's sporting passions are golf and football.

"New Zealand is not the only country I have supported football," he said. "I started in South Africa, funding sustainable facilities with Fives Futbol with proceeds supporting local schools and was the title sponsor of Mpumalanga Black Aces for two years where they rose to fourth place in the premier soccer league.

"It would be wonderful to see a similar impact in New Zealand".

Handa was made an honorary appointment to the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 for services to golf and philanthropy.