When he was barely turned 30, Hiroji Koide became vice chairman of the International Exchange Committee of the Japan Chamber of Commerce. That marked the beginning of his active participation in public affairs, which still continues more than 46 years later. He is a jovial, outward-looking Nagano man, an eager volunteer who encourages others to undertake voluntary work. He has lived most of his life in Nagano city. His public spirit and energy have brought benefits to Nagano, and the city and its son are proud of each other.

Currently, Koide directs the operations of a company that has a food processing plant in Nagano, and a chain of port-cutlet restaurants and takeout corners in department stores. He graduated in 1951 from Shinshu University in engineering. That was a far cry from his father's business. "My father ran a store for both wholesale and retail sales of cosmetics and sundry goods," he said. "I helped him for 15 years. Then for another 15 years I worked as a tour guide for travel agencies in Yokohama and Nagano. When I was in charge of overseas travel, I visited many countries and learned a lot." He determined to put to good use as much as he could of what he learned on his overseas trips.

Koide was instrumental in 1968 in the founding of the Nagano International Friendship Club. "I believe that education is the most important thing in the world," he said. "NIFC was set up in Nagano to promote and expand international exchange activities, especially focusing on education and young people's international understanding. We have home-stay programs for visitors from abroad, and have received more than 2,000 people from over 30 countries to stay with our 1,600 host families. We send our members and delegations abroad on study tours. We have cultural exchange as well as human exchange, when we hold forums, seminars, trips and many different musical and dancing events. We also have language classes." NIFC has received several awards in appreciation of its work.