At a time when Indian entrepreneurs are increasingly voicing
their struggles with bureaucracy, funding issues, and operational chaos, one
founder’s decision to launch his startup in Japan instead of India
has sparked widespread discussion online.
In a Reddit post titled “Why I decided to build my
Startup in Japan instead of India (Japan Startup Visa),” a user who
identified himself as Prashant Sharma, explained why he chose to stay in
Japan to pursue his entrepreneurial journey. Sharma, a PhD student in
neuroscience at the University of Tokyo, arrived in Japan in 2023
for his research. Along the way, he developed an innovative language
learning method, which he has now transformed into a startup.
Rather than returning to India to establish his venture,
Sharma opted to leverage Japan’s Startup Visa program, citing smoother
processes, lower operational stress, and a better quality of life.
Frustration with Indian Startup Ecosystem
Sharma’s decision was heavily influenced by stories shared
by fellow Indian founders on social platforms. “Reading about the stressful
experience of numerous Indian founders on this sub, trying to survive amidst
the nightmare of Indian bureaucracy, only strengthened my resolve,” he wrote in
his post.
In a candid reflection, he added, “Life is too short and
precious to struggle forever. Don’t waste your potential where your skills are
not appreciated.”
His words resonated with many, especially those facing
roadblocks in India’s highly competitive and often regulation-heavy startup
environment.
Japan’s Startup-Friendly Environment
Responding to questions on Reddit, Sharma elaborated on his
experience in Japan, saying the cost of building a digital startup there is
comparable to India—especially if one chooses to bootstrap.
“The costs would be the same everywhere if you are primarily
building a digital business,” he said. “Living costs are similar to living in a
Tier 1 Indian city. Except you can actually have a good life here. No traffic,
no pollution, and no chaos. I have never heard a car horn even once in my over
2 years here.”
He also praised Japan's supportive ecosystem for
entrepreneurs, including government initiatives, venture capital
support, and a smoother visa process specifically designed for startups.
Community Reactions: Inspiration and Caution
Sharma’s post prompted a flurry of reactions. One user asked
about the language barrier, suggesting that building a startup in Japan
might be tough for non-Japanese speakers. Sharma acknowledged the challenge but
emphasized that it hasn’t been a major roadblock for him so far.
Another user pointed out the perception that Japan might be
too expensive for early-stage businesses. Sharma refuted this by explaining
that digital businesses don’t incur high labor costs, and day-to-day expenses
in Tokyo can be managed with careful planning.
A few commenters shared their own frustrations. One user,
struggling with their startup for over four years in India, wrote, “I'm
considering shutting down or moving elsewhere, like Dubai, Portugal, etc.” They
expressed interest in connecting with Sharma for collaboration.
On the other hand, some simply celebrated his bold move.
“Damn, this is amazing, man. I went to Japan last year. What an awesome step
you have taken. Keep it up. Best of luck,” one user wrote.
A Broader Conversation Emerging
As India continues to push for growth in its startup sector
with initiatives like Startup India, posts like Sharma’s highlight the
gap between policy vision and ground realities. For many founders, the
challenges of compliance, taxation, funding access, and infrastructure can feel
insurmountable.
While Sharma’s story may not represent every founder’s
experience, it has certainly ignited a deeper conversation around where
innovation truly thrives—and what entrepreneurs need beyond just ambition: support,
stability, and space to breathe.