Hiroko Mima, the Miss Universe 2008 contestant from Japan, studies at Nihon University where her major is physical education. Hiroko Mima says she loves sports, especially basketball, and was a high jumper in school. When Hiroko was 13 years old, she was diagnosed with a bone marrow disease that made it impossible for her to play basketball so she focused on high jumping and participated 7 times at the Japan National Track and Field Competition.

Hiroko says she would like to work as a sports reporter. She says, If she were to be Miss Universe 2008, she would use the money and fame to spread awareness about alternative methods of treatment for children. Hiroko says she particularly favors the therapeutic model of treatment recommended by Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Institute, which is focused on the connection between the environment and wellness.