Japanese Founder moved to Bengaluru, praises India’s work ethic. Says "They’re in by 9 a.m. and still there at 9 p.m.”

When Japanese business owner Reiji Kobayashi wanted to expand his microfinancing business startup ‘Hakki Africa Limited’, India was the obvious place to go. 

In 2024, he relocated to Bengaluru, attracted by the vast population of the country, its booming economic growth, and its receptivity to new thinking.

Reiji Kobayashi’s company, Hakki, provides microfinancing for people looking to purchase cars in developing countries. 

After building the business in Kenya, where it financed more than 3,500 cars over six years, he saw India as the next big market. 

 “Africa is large but scattered,” he said as per a report filed by Business Insider.“Kenya has about 50 million people, while India has 1.3 billion and an economy that’s growing fast. The opportunity here is huge.”

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Building Hakki in India

Currently, Hakki has operations in Kenya, South Africa, and India, with the headquarters located in Japan. Hakki has 74 employees in Kenya, four employees in India, and two employees in South Africa. 

Kobayashi wishes to list the company on the stock market in Japan by 2028.

Bengaluru, in particular, has left a lasting impression on him. 

“I love the energy here. People are positive about the future, and that’s very different from Japan, where the aging population makes people more cautious,” he said. He spends evenings playing football with friends and has even picked up an interest in cricket. “I never thought I’d watch cricket matches with beer and chicken. I always assumed most Indians were vegetarian,”he joked.

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Challenges and differences

Not all has been smooth. The food of Bangalore has been a specific challenge for Kobayashi. 

“I can’t handle spicy food, so I end up eating the noodles I bring from Japan,”Kobayashi admitted.

However, he also pointed out the vast differences between India and Japan with regard to the work culture, which came to him as a surprise. 

“In Japan, we spend hours in meetings to build consensus. In India, people just try things. Decisions move faster, and investors act quickly. It feels much more founder-friendly,”he said.

One of his biggest surprises has been the work ethic of his Indian colleagues.

“Our employees sometimes work longer than me. They’re in by 9 a.m. and often still working at 9 p.m. Even our driver is available from early morning until midnight.”

Though expansion to Thailand may be on the horizon, Kobayashi insists India will remain central to Hakki’s future.

He exclaimed, “This country feels like the future. Hakki will definitely have a big presence here.”

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