From Code to Culture: Anil Raj on Reinventing Entrepreneurship in Japan

In the heart of Tokyo, Japancalling.in sat down with Anil Raj, a serial international entrepreneur whose journey from tech engineer to multi-sector business owner reflects both grit and reinvention. Over the past two decades, Anil has built a diverse portfolio that spans Indian restaurant chain Nirvanam, an international kindergarten, an IT consulting firm, a language school, and more all rooted in Japan.

In this candid conversation with Peeush Srivastava in Tokyo, Anil opens up about how rejection sparked his first business, how Japan’s values of trust and discipline reshaped his approach to leadership, and what it truly means to build something lasting in a foreign land

Q. When and what stage in your life did you consider Japan as a destination for business? What factors influenced your decision to expand or start your venture in Japan?

A. When I first arrived in Japan, I was as an IT engineer not as an entrepreneur. Business had always been a dream since my college days, but I didn’t come from a business background. With no family backing or formal guidance, it remained just that a dream.

In 2004, while working at Credit Suisse, a Swiss investment bank in Tokyo, I began shaping ideas for my first venture. My skillset at the time was limited to IT, so naturally, I envisioned launching a tech business. But when I sought compliance approval to start an IT company alongside my job, the proposal was rejected outright. That rejection was crushing—but it was also a turning point.

Instead of giving up, I began exploring business ideas outside my core expertise. Around that time, I noticed a clear gap in Japan’s food scene: there were no authentic South Indian restaurants. I returned to compliance with this new idea, and to my surprise, they approved it as no conflict of interest.

That rejection became the catalyst for Nirvanam, Tokyo’s first truly South Indian restaurant, which went on to win the Best Indian Restaurant award by Tabelog six years in a row.

Since then, the journey expanded into diverse ventures from a kindergarten school with Jaidevi Gohil, to an IT company with Jishnu Madhavan, a language school in Hyderabad with Ajay Kumar, an ad agency (Verycomgroup) with my brother Gopal Raj, and skill development programs with Nityanandan Balakrishnan. It all began with one unexpected “No.”

Q. How has this journey changed your perspective as an entrepreneur? What have you personally learned from working and living in Japan?

A. My journey from a reserved IT engineer to a confident entrepreneur has been nothing short of transformative. Building multiple businesses in Japan over the past two decades has reshaped not just how I think, but who I am. It taught me that entrepreneurship isn’t just about risk-taking or innovation it’s about growth, resilience, and adapting to your environment.

Japan offers a unique landscape for entrepreneurs. It’s a country where relationships, trust, and integrity are valued even more than your product or service. Gaining that trust especially as a foreigner isn’t easy. Business often works through referrals, and being recommended means your reputation must speak for itself. This has pushed me to operate with unwavering consistency and transparency.

Living in Japan also instills a deep respect for precision, discipline, and humility. These aren’t just cultural traits they are business essentials here. I have come to realize that success in Japan requires more than strategy; it demands cultural intelligence.

If I were to summarize what I’ve learned, three qualities stand out:

Cultural Sensitivity & Adaptability - Embracing Japanese etiquette and work culture is crucial.

Perseverance - Persistence, when paired with humility, earns respect over time.

Relationship Building - Business is deeply personal; trust must be earned before any transaction begins.

Japan hasn’t just shaped my businesses it has shaped me as a human being. And for that, I am deeply grateful.

Q. Being an Indian entrepreneur, is it difficult to build trust and relationships with local partners, clients, or customers in Japan?

A. Building trust and relationships in Japan can be challenging at first, particularly for foreign entrepreneurs. Japanese business culture is deeply rooted in long-term relationship building, mutual respect, and consistent reliability. As an Indian entrepreneur, the cultural nuances — from indirect communication to the pace of decision-making require patience and adaptability.

However, these challenges are not barriers, but gateways. By showing genuine respect for local customs, maintaining high standards, and following through on commitments, trust is gradually earned. Indian entrepreneurs often bring strong interpersonal skills and resilience, which help bridge cultural differences effectively.

Once trust is established, Japanese partners and clients are remarkably loyal and supportive. While the initial phase requires effort and persistence, the resulting relationships are enduring and highly rewarding.

Q. What is your message to Indian entrepreneurs or startups who are thinking of entering the Japanese market? Are there any practical tips or cultural insights they should keep in mind?

A. Indian entrepreneurs are often familiar with Western or Middle Eastern styles of doing business, which tend to be more direct and fast-paced. Japan, however, operates very differently it is a relationship-driven, trust-based market where business is built slowly but deeply.

My message is this: Japan offers immense potential, but it rewards those who are well-prepared, patient, and culturally attuned. Success here doesn’t happen overnight. It requires time to build credibility, demonstrate consistency, and earn trust.

One of the most important aspects of doing business in Japan is the personal touch. Before the pandemic, virtual meetings were almost unheard of; in-person interactions were considered essential. Even today, face-to-face engagement remains highly valued. Japanese partners often engage in multiple discussions before making a decision not because of hesitation, but because they view business as a long-term relationship, not a transaction. Once trust is established, that relationship is typically lifelong.

Culturally, it's vital to understand and respect the nuances of Japanese business etiquette. Punctuality, humility, and hierarchy matter. Small things — like how you exchange business cards or conduct an initial meeting can leave a lasting impression. Even basic efforts to understand the language or hiring bilingual staff can go a long way in building rapport.

Ultimately, having a great product or service isn’t enough. What matters most is demonstrating a sincere, long-term commitment to the market. If you approach Japan with respect, adaptability, and the willingness to learn, you'll find not just clients — but trusted partners who stand by you for the long run.

Q. What services do you provide through RAJGROUP to companies or individuals looking to set up business in Japan?

A. At RAJGROUP, we specialize in supporting companies and entrepreneurs—especially from India—who are looking to enter and establish themselves in the Japanese market. Our core offering includes comprehensive Market Entry Services, guiding businesses through every stage of setting up operations in Japan, from legal registration and compliance to local partnerships and operational support.

We also offer business consulting services across both IT and non-IT sectors, helping clients navigate Japan’s unique business culture, regulatory landscape, and consumer expectations. Our experience across industries—from technology and education to food and hospitality enables us to provide tailored, practical insights.

For Indian IT companies, we extend a dedicated front-end service platform through NehaN Technologies K.K., our technology arm in Japan. This allows partner companies to maintain a local presence, access Japanese clients more effectively, and scale faster without the complexities of setting up from scratch.

Whether it's a startup testing the waters or an established firm looking to expand, RAJGROUP acts as a trusted local partner—bridging the cultural, legal, and business gaps to ensure a smooth and sustainable launch in Japan.

Q. If any of our readers want to reach you to seek help in setting up business, how do they contact you?

They can reach out to me on my contact no. +81 90830 85085, social media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajgroup/ or email: anilraj@rajgroupglobal.com