Dr Akihiro Nagahara, llb, llm, lld

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Honorary Fellow

A Citation

Dr Akihiro Nagahara, LLB, LLM, LLD

Born and bred in Taiwan, Dr Akihiro Nagahara pursued his dreams in Japan and 

founded his business in Hong Kong.  He is a remarkable entrepreneur who proclaims 

the spirit of New Asia College.

A  well-known  entrepreneur  and  financial  expert,  Dr Akihiro  Nagahara  is  also 

a social philanthropist eager to help the needy, give back to his motherland and 

contribute to the cause of education.  He and his wife are golf enthusiasts who can 

often be seen swinging their golf clubs on the fairway. 

Dr  Nagahara  was  born  Chang  Ping-huang  in  Changhua,  Taiwan,  in  1940.    He 

graduated with a bachelor degree with distinction in law from Taiwan University at a 

time when most graduates chose to further their studies in the US.  Yet the ambitious 

Ping-huang opted for Japan.  In 1968, he earned a full scholarship from Japan’s 

Ministry of Education and enrolled in Hitotsubashi University, where he obtained 

both a master’s degree and a doctoral degree.  After graduation, he joined the JCG 

Finance Company (JCG), a consumer finance company established by Chinese 

expatriates in Tokyo, embarking on an illustrious career in business.  In 1977, he 

was assigned by JCG to spearhead the establishment of its Hong Kong branch, and 

assumed the role of General Manager.  For the purpose of working and travelling 

at ease in and out of Japan, Ping-huang decided to naturalise as a Japanese citizen 

and adopt Akihiro Nagahara as his Japanese name, a name similar to Changhua in 

Chinese in tribute to his homeland.  JCG’s business expanded rapidly in Hong Kong 

under  the  leadership  of  Dr  Nagahara.    In  1990,  JCG  was  acquired  by  Public  Bank 

Berhad of Malaysia and renamed Public Finance Limited.  In 1992, two years after 

leaving  JCG,  Dr  Nagahara  made  a  comeback  to  the  financial  sector  and  founded 

his own business, United Asia Finance Limited (UAF) in 1993.  It was an incredible 

success, outperforming his previous companies, and in recent years, Dr Nagahara has 

expanded the business to cities in mainland China.  In addition to its 49 Hong Kong 

branches, UAF currently runs more than 150 branches in over 10 cities across the 

country, including Beijing, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Chengdu.  Offering loan services 

with a pragmatic approach, UAF has helped individuals and small and medium-sized 

enterprises  cope  with  cash-stricken  situations.    Dr  Nagahara  is  also  the  Chairman 

of The Hong Kong SAR Licensed Money Lenders Association Limited, winning 

recognition from both the government and the industry.  In 2013, he was named one 

of the ‘Capital Leaders of Excellence’ by Capital magazine. 

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While conducting business across Japan, Taiwan and mainland China, Dr Nagahara 

has also been an earnest supporter of the promotion of cultural and educational 

interactions between Hong Kong and these three regions.  In 1982, he set up a 

cultural fund at New Asia College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), 

to facilitate the College’s development and cultural exchanges.  Since becoming a 

member of the College Board of Trustees in 1997, he has provided full support to 

the activities of the College.  In addition to being a member of the Board of Trustees, 

he is currently a member of the Investment Sub-Committee of the College, and a 

member of the Sub-Committee on Student Exchange Programmes with Universities 

in Japan.  Dr Nagahara loves golf and is a good amateur player.  He goes golfing in 

Shenzhen with his wife on a weekly basis, a years-long habit that has helped hone 

his skills.  Dr Nagahara is an active participant of the CUHK Golf Day and, each year, 

he represents New Asia College at a golf game to help raise funds for both the College 

and the University.  He takes pleasure in the event as he can play golf for a good 

cause.

Dr Nagahara is keen in serving the community and very supportive of charities.  

He was a director of Po Leung Kuk from 2004 to 2009, and is currently the honorable 

chairman of the Hong Kong & Macau Taiwanese Association Ltd.  He is also a director 

of Hong Kong and Macau Taiwanese Charity Fund Limited, which hosts the Taiwan 

Culture Festival in autumn every year to introduce Taiwanese arts and culture to 

Hong Kong.  Dr Nagahara is a key sponsor of this event.

In recognition of his contributions to public services and the cultural exchange 

between Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and mainland China, and his long-standing care 

and support for CUHK and New Asia College, Mr Vice-Chancellor, it is my great 

pleasure to present to you Dr Akihiro Nagahara, also known as Dr Chang Ping-huang, 

for the award of an Honorary Fellowship of the University.