He is an ordained Zen Buddhist priest in the Rinzai tradition.

Deeply involved in social causes, Dr Handa serves as vice-chairman of the International Shinto Foundation, a non-government organisation recognised by the United Nations, as chairman of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture, and vice-chairman of the Sihanouk Hospital, an emergency intensive care hospital servicing the poor in Cambodia.

Dr Handa is honorary patron of the World Blind Golf Association and honorary chairman of the Japanese Blind Golf Association. He is also a major benefactor to the Perth International Arts Festival and to the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

In recognition of his years of philanthropic work, Dr Handa has been granted several honorary titles in the United Kingdom, including Deputy Lord High Steward of Ireland. In recognition of his artistic and cultural accomplishments, he has been appointed Visiting Professor at China's Zhejiang University. In recognition of his generous benefactions to Western Australian universities, he has been awarded Honorary Doctorates by both Curtin University of Technology and Edith Cowan University.

Dr Handa operates more than ten companies in Japan and abroad, which are engaged in a variety of activities ranging from management consulting to sponsorship of symposia.

Alongside his success in business he is an accomplished composer, calligrapher, author, Noh actor, motivational speaker and dancer.