In a world where Indian entrepreneur often flocks to Silicon Valley or Bangalore to chase their startup dreams, one Indian innovator took a completely different route—Japan.
Prashant Sharma, a native of New Delhi, recently shared his inspiring story on Reddit about why he chose to build his startup in Japan instead of India. His post, titled “Why I decided to build my Startup in Japan instead of India (Japan Startup Visa),” has been gaining attention for its fresh perspective and practical insights.
From PhD Student to EdTech Founder: Indian Entrepreneur
Prashant moved to Japan in 2023 as a neuroscience PhD student at the prestigious University of Tokyo. While immersed in his research, he developed a new language learning method based on neuroscience principles. This method aimed to accelerate language acquisition by understanding how the brain learns most efficiently.
Instead of finishing his PhD, Prashant decided to turn this powerful idea into a business. He dropped out and launched Immersify, an edtech startup aimed at revolutionizing how people learn languages.
Why Japan, Not India?
Prashant’s decision to stay in Japan and build his business wasn’t random. After living there for two years, he fell in love with the country. “Everything is so clean, peaceful, and organized. It’s a high-trust society where everything just works,” he said.
He contrasted this with the difficulties many Indian startup founders face: endless paperwork, bureaucracy, and red tape. Reading about those experiences only strengthened his decision to stay in Japan.
One of the most appealing aspects for him was the Japan Startup Visa—a lesser-known program that allows foreign entrepreneurs to start a business with just an idea. Unlike many visa programs, it doesn’t require immediate investment, employees, or even an office. This gave Prashant the breathing room he needed to focus purely on building and refining his product.
Building Immersify in Tokyo
Today, Prashant is living in Tokyo and growing his edtech startup. He describes the experience as rewarding and energizing. “Now I’m building my startup in Tokyo and enjoying every second of it,” he shared.
His journey is a powerful reminder that the best place to build your dream isn’t always your home country. Sometimes, finding the right environment—where your work is valued and your path is clear—makes all the difference.
Lessons for Other Founders
Prashant’s story is a call to action for entrepreneurs worldwide. His advice is simple yet profound: “Life is too short and precious to struggle forever. Don’t waste your potential where your skills are not appreciated.”
Whether you’re in tech, education, or any other field, his journey shows that it’s worth exploring new ecosystems where innovation is encouraged and supported.
Also read: India Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Set to Dazzle the World!
FAQs
Q1: What is Japan’s Startup Visa and how does it work?
Japan’s Startup Visa is a special program for foreign entrepreneurs. It allows you to stay in Japan and start a business even if you don’t have capital, employees, or an office yet. You’re given up to one year to set up your business under the guidance of local municipalities that support startups.
Q2: Why did Prashant Sharma leave India to start his company?
Prashant left India mainly due to bureaucratic challenges and a lack of support for early-stage startups. He found Japan’s clean, organized, and efficient environment more conducive for innovation and growth.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BR5ks1CRp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
