'Everything Just Works': Indian Entrepreneur Uses Japan’s Startup Visa To Launch Firm In Tokyo

A recent Reddit post has grabbed attention, in which the author discussed choosing Japan instead of his home country, India, to launch his venture. 

The viral Reddit post

The Redditor claims to be from New Delhi and has launched a full-fledged edtech startup called Immersify in Japan.

Immersify is a storytelling-based language learning platform inspired by the principles of Neuroscience. A user can acquire any language fast, using its innovative storytelling-based language learning method.

His story is rooted in innovation, international opportunity, and a deep appreciation for the Japanese society where, as he puts it, “everything just works.” 

“Why I decided to build my Startup in Japan instead of India (Japan Startup Visa)." The post was shared, including a link to a LinkedIn profile identifying him as Prashant Sharma, a New Delhi native who eventually went on to establish a full-fledged firm in Japan.

The entrepreneur mentioned that he went to Japan in 2023 as a neuroscience research student to complete his PhD at the University of Tokyo. While conducting his research, he developed a novel language learning approach based on neuroscience principles to ‘accelerate language acquisition.’

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The back story

Sharma decided to pursue this idea full-time, dropping out of the PhD program and launching a firm to implement this strategy.

“After living in Japan for nearly 2 years, I had fallen in love with the country. Everything was so well organized, clean, and peaceful. Zero air pollution, a very high-trust society, and everything just works," he explained.

“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 added.

“After a rigorous process, I finally got my Japan Startup Visa. Now I'm building my startup in Tokyo and enjoying every second of it,” Sharma wrote.

Japan’s Startup Visa is a relatively under-the-radar immigration programme that offers foreign entrepreneurs a chance to build a startup with just an idea.

The visa doesn't require immediate capital investment, hiring, or even a physical office.

“Life is too short and precious to struggle forever. Don't waste your potential where your skills are not appreciated,” the entrepreneur ended.

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