About Japan & Bharat
Indo-Japan Friendship
Japan and Bharat share a deep bond rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural ties since 752 AD. Thinkers like Swami Vivekananda, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, JRD Tata, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and Judge Radha Binod Pal have shaped this friendship. Modern nation-states have built on this legacy with shared values of democracy, individual freedom, and the rule of law.
Indian Community
Indians first arrived in Japan for business in the 1870s at the ports of Yokohama and Kobe. The great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 drew many Indians to Yokohama to rebuild the Kansai region. Today, around 50,000 Indians live in Japan, including IT experts, engineers, and researchers working for Japanese firms and S&T research, mainly in cities like Ojima, Nishikasai, Funabori, and other major urban centers.
Cultural Similarities
Both Indian and Japanese cultures place a strong emphasis on honoring and preserving their traditional values, customs, and rituals. Family, heritage, and ancestral connections are highly respected in both cultures. The Indian community lives harmoniously with the neighbours and has developed relations with local governments to become valuable members of the Japanese community.
Indian Festivals & Events
Almost all festivals are celebrated all over Japan. Many Japanese citizens participate in such events and celebrations. Some notable events are Holi, Deepawali, Rath Yatra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Independence Day, Hindu NavVarsh, Rakshabandhan etc. There are 50+ regional language as well as other social associations active in Japan organizing these celebrations.
Indian Embassy & Consulate
The Indian Embassy in Tokyo and Consulate General office in Osaka-Kobe actively support the Indian community. The Embassy organizes various cultural and community events throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in/
Opportunities
Today, Japan and Bharat align on political, economic, and strategic interests. As the largest democracy in Asia, India offers numerous opportunities for collaboration with Japan across various sectors including technology, research, trade, and cultural exchange.