Dr. Haruhisa Handa (aka Toshu Fukami)

Dr. Haruhisa Handa (aka Toshu Fukami)

Chairman ISPS, Fives International Patron

Graduated from Doshisha University with a degree in economics. Completed a master class in vocal music at the Musashino Academia Musicae, and earned a master’s degree in creative arts from WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia. Holds a Ph.D. in literature from the Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University, as well as a Ph.D. in literature on the Study of Chinese Classical Text, Zhejiang University, China. Co-founder and chancellor of the University of Cambodia, and professor at its College of Political Science. Senior International Commentator for Southeast Asia Television and Radio. Senior Editorial Writer at Southeast Asia Weekly. Professor at the Institute for Japanese Culture Studies, Zhejiang Gongshang University in China. Received honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the Juilliard School and honorary fellow at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford.

Handa serves as advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia with the rank of Senior Minister, advisor to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and honorary consul of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Fukuoka. The founder and chair of Asia Economic Forum. Became the first Japanese vice president of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in recognition of long-standing contributions to blind welfare. Member of the Board of Directors, Association for the Blind of Western Australia. He was bestowed the friendship decoration of Commander of the Royal Order of Sahametrei by former king of Cambodia. He also was further conferred with the title of Commander of the Royal Order of Monisaraphon and the Grand Officer of the Royal Order of Sowathara by the Royal Government of Cambodia, and Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Monisaraphon by the King of Cambodia. Awarded the Development Medal by the government of Laos.

He was accredited by the Chinese government as First Grade National Master of Fine Arts, First Grade National Opera Singer and Second Grade National Peking Opera Actor. Noh performer belonging to the Hosho School, member of the Noh Association, president of the IFAC Hosho Toshu Noh Troupe, sponsor representative of “Tokyo Dai Takigi Noh,” and founder and artistic director of Totoami Opera Company of Japan as well as the Toshu Theatre Troupe. He received Distinguished Service Medal from the State of Western Australia and the keys to the City of Perth and the City of Swan. He was awarded the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon of Japan.  

Handa established the first Blind Golf Club in Japan in 1988 and known as the “Father of Blind Golf.” He serves as honorary chairman of the Japanese Blind Golf Association (NPO), honorary president of the International Blind Golf Association, chairman of the Legends Tour (Women’s Senior Golf Association) of the United States, president of the Japan Instructor Pro Golf Association, chairman of the Japan Golf Instructors Society, patron and honorary lifetime member of the PGA of Australia, and patron of Golf Australia. Handa has also been appointed Golf Australia International Ambassador, advisor to the European Senior Tour, International Ambassador of Asian Tour, Faldo Series Asia as well as Ladies European Tour, honorary advisor of the Faldo Trust for Tomorrow’s Champions (Asia) Limited, and honorary chairman of the Cambodian Golf Federation. He is founder and chairman of the International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS). Received the 2010 “Asia Pacific Golf Personality Award” from Asia Golf Monthly. Known as the “Modern Renaissance Man.” He title sponsored the 2013 ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf held in Melbourne, Australia.