Ryuko Hira (比良 竜虎) (born May 30, 1948) is a renowned investor, and philanthropist, President of HMI Hotel Group and Ora Group of companies in Japan, engaged in the investment, ownership, and development of real estate, hospitality, and tourism projects in railways, airports, seaports, and public transportation located in 31 cities in Japan.

[2] He is also widely known for his involvement in Indo-Japan economic exchanges, promotion of Indian culture, and his devotion to Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

[3] Hira’s family traces its lineage to the 18 century with the birth of his great grandfather Seth Jagatrai in Hyderabad, Sindh Province (now in West Pakistan).

Working with foresight and dynamism, the Jagtianis had spread over four generations and expanded their trading business beyond the Indian sub-continent into South East Asia and Japan.

Amongst many honours, Hira and his group of companies have had the distinction of hosting His Highness Crown Prince Naruhito in 1998, and Their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in June 2008, and several other state guests.

The hotel hosted the stay of the French President Jacques Chirac, and the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, and other leaders of the 2000 G8 Summit.

Though many other institutions distribute free food, the homeless people of Tokyo say the lunch box from these Sai Baba prayer halls are the most delicious.

Dalai Lama’s visit to Japan in November 2009, Hira hosted his holiness at the Okinawa Prefecture Peace Memorial Park.

In 1990, Hira patronized the construction of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Puttaparthi, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India P.V.

During the inauguration, the Prime Minister spoke on the potential and significance of the convention centre, his connection to Sri Sathya Sai Baba, and specifically mentioned about his close relationship with Ryuko Hira during his address.

The Prime Minister's official website reports 'The Convention Centre donated by philanthropist Shri Ryuko Hira is a testament to the vision of promoting cultural exchange, spirituality, and global harmony.

'[6][7]Over the decades, Hira has played a vital role in coordinating agreements, memorandums, and its likes amongst various tier governments of India and Japan.

Some prominent examples of Hira's contribution as a co-ordinator can be noted in the following memorandums: Hira was amongst the distinguished guests invited to attend the welcome dinner hosted by the President of India - Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in honor of Their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan’s State visit to India in November - December 2013.

In January 2016, Hira was invited by the Chief Cabinet Secretary - Yoshihide Suga for an experts meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence wherein he proposed the policy measures to liberalize tourism from India to Japan in the next 5 years.

In October 2019, Hira was noted instrumental in the launch of the new ANA flight route of Narita-Chennai and attended its inauguration ceremony.Hira is a trusted, influential writer and has contributed to and led many commendable and historic publication initiatives.

In addition, the same team translated and published nine volumes of the great Indian epic 'Mahabharata,' Vedas, and Upanishads, works of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, several books on Buddhism, Sikhism, and a compendium of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Since 1978 Hira has also sponsored, translated, and published over 132 periodicals and books in the Japanese language on Indian culture and spirituality through the 'Sathya Sai Publications Japan.'

In response, Hira published a book - 'Secrets of India,' with support of the 'All Japan National Congress of Parent Teacher Associations.'

Inspired by the dictum of the Vedas as well as the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Hira is actively engaged in the selfless service of humanity alongside working devoutly for the character-building of people at large.

Over the years, He has also organized workshops, exhibitions, and symposiums on Gayatri Mantra and its significance, the harms of alcohol and smoking, and the national annual Sai conventions in Japan.

A spiritual milestone was achieved on the 80th Birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 23rd November 2005, when over 100 young Japanese fluently recited the whole of Vedas reverentially in perfect Sanskrit pronunciation without referring to the text from memory.

Sairam News reported that under the leadership of Ryuko Hira, contributions from members from all over the country, and the Embassy of India in Japan, various relief supplies including towels, socks, heating packs, emergency blue sheets, under garments, portable gas stoves, diapers, sanitary products, children and adult clothes, rice, frozen foods, juices, and other emergency food items were continued to be delivered to the victims for 6 months.

[14]In similar service activities, during the ‘Great Hanshin Earthquake’ that occurred on 17th January, 1995 in Hyogo Prefecture, Sathya Sai Organization Japan responded to the disaster immediately after its incoming.

[15] In an article Hira wrote for the Monthly Journal of the Japan-India Association titled ‘True Indian?’, he explains the meaning and story behind his Japanese citizenship and name.

Hira writes that the socialist reforms impeded the stability and growth of capitalist enterprises, which led to his family and many others to make long term commitments to Japan.

He describes the direct translation of his name would be queer in Japanese characters, and since most local government officers 60 years ago did not read or write English, his name to be written in Kanji was a legal requirement.

In another interview with Sairam News, Hira recalls the priest prophesizing and quotes “In the future, you are destined to bridge the two countries of India and Japan.