Naotaka Nishiyama, a Japanese entrepreneur and founder of Tech Japan, recently shared a heartfelt note on LinkedIn, reflecting on his transformative journey since relocating to Bengaluru, India a year ago. In his post, he detailed the lessons he had learned, the challenges he faced, and the cultural shifts that reshaped his perspective on entrepreneurship, diversity, and personal growth.
"Exactly one year ago, I landed in India with just a suitcase—and a dream. On March 25, 2024, I left Tokyo International Airport in Japan. In the early hours of March 26, I landed in Bangalore. As I stepped out of the airport pulling my suitcase, I found myself standing in a completely new world," Nishiyama wrote.
His journey, however, was not without its challenges. He observed that as a Japanese startup founder in India, he was something of a rarity.
"There aren't many Japanese people in India to begin with, and most of those living here are corporate expats from the automotive, electronics, or banking industries," he explained.
Sharing an amusing anecdote, he described how people often assumed he worked for a well-known Japanese company.
"When I meet someone for the first time, I'm often asked, Toyota? Suzuki? I smile and reply, no, I run a company called Talendy. Then comes that look of ‘What's that?’" he wrote.
Over the past year, Nishiyama said he had gained invaluable insights that had transformed both his business approach and personal mindset. He outlined three key lessons that India had taught him:
"The power to move forward in complexity."
"The mindset to embrace unpredictability."
"How to build trust in diversity."
He noted that his perspective on stability and change had evolved significantly.
"Something inside me has definitely shifted this year. Instead of 'challenging myself within stability,' I've learned to 'create value within change.' And that mindset has now become a part of me," he wrote.
Reflecting on the ambition and energy of India's younger generation, he expressed his optimism for the future.
"Of course, I'm still learning… But the people I've met in India—especially the incredible energy and ambition of the younger generation—keep me moving forward with the belief that we can create the future together."
Since being shared, Nishiyama’s post has garnered over 7,000 reactions and more than 400 comments, with many users resonating with his thoughts on India’s complexity and vibrancy.
One user commented: "You are 100% right. India is diverse, which creates complexity and unpredictability. So life is not monotonous at any time. Every day is a new day, and you (anyone) can start your new life at any moment."
Another user reflected on the adaptability and improvisation that are essential in India, writing:
"Very well summarised—‘Perfect is the enemy of progress’ and ‘Things rarely go as planned.’ Improvisation skills, I think, are unheard of in Japan, but in India, we are used to these things, and despite it all, we come out successful. I think we both have a lot to learn from each other."
A third user appreciated Nishiyama’s willingness to embrace the imperfections of India, stating:
"Kudos to you for trying to embrace a country like India, with so many imperfections unlike Japan. Great learning, my friend. All the best to your startup as well."
Others echoed similar sentiments, applauding his insights into the beauty of diversity, adaptability, and resilience.
One user remarked: "Wow, this post, along with all the comments, is a dose of learning, unlearning, and adapting to new, challenging surroundings. We will only enjoy what we do when we stop complaining, see the beauty of diversity, and learn to apply it for a greater purpose."
According to his LinkedIn bio, Nishiyama completed his BCom from Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan before furthering his education at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
His entrepreneurial journey began in 2005, when he founded his first company. Over the next five years, he worked in various roles at Suntory Holdings Limited before continuing his professional career with Deloitte for another five years. In 2019, he founded Talendy Holdings, an AI-based HR platform.
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