For Japanese youth, India is a country of hope, bright future, and prospects despite many odds

NEW DELHI: Mai Yamanaka, a graduate in International Relations studies from Tokyo had been dreaming about coming to India for the past six years. For Mai who is currently visiting India along with colleagues, India is a country hopeful despite its image of being a tough terrain amongst the Japanese community. She is part of a troupe of 20 youngsters who are on a 900-km long venture-based Ideathon – Hack The Innovative Future along with 20 Indian counterparts between New Delhi and Varanasi, Sep 16-24. Interestingly, for majority of the Japanese youth who are part of this 9-day mission.

“I have been dreaming about visiting India for the past six years. Last year too, I had had the opportunity to participate in Japan India Conference but virtually. I am so happy to be here for the first time,” said the beaming Mai was visiting Manesar-based two-wheeler manufacturing plant of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) recently.

According to Mai, India is a developing country but very advance in the information technology (IT) space. She wants to come again to India and make a career here.

Another Japanese girl Rina Ishikawa who pursuing a major in the Hindi Language said she loved the way how Indians were optimistic about any situation, and she was looking forward to working in India in the future.

“The Ideathon is giving her the chance to know about India more closely and understands the working here. I am very positive about the whole trip. I was surprised witnessing Indian girls wearing jeans. I had an image of Indians wearing their traditional attire like saree in public places,” she added.

The mission for these youngsters is to generate innovative ideas on the basis of the knowledge and experiences they gather through this venture-based journey for building further relations between India and Japan.

Mizuki Ando, another student from Japan reads a lot about India and Japanese cooperation and that what made her participate in this event.

Mizuki said, ‘She always wanted to visit India as she is well versed in Indian history. I was awestruck that she finally got an opportunity to see India and she is looking forward to learning closely about the functioning of India through these 9 days event.”

However, these youngsters from Japan also said are of the view that the image of India in Japan is that of a tough country to lead a healthy life.

While talking about the image the Japanese youth had in their mind, Mai Yamanaka said that India was known to be a tough region to stay and work. “Many in Japan believe that the climate conditions in India are very tough. Problems such as air and water pollution cause many health-related issues.  Despite all this, India fascinates me.”

While sharing her experience on the first day in India, the Hindi language learner Rina Ishikawa had not expected Rikshaws in the street and so many people riding on it. She had watched Rikshaws in some Bollywood movies, but she thought it was only been highlighted in the movies, she never expected that she will witness people actually traveling on Rikshaws in India.

Rina was horrified by the traffic discipline in Gururgram, and did not expect a car, bus, and two-wheelers all to run in the same lane.

About Ideathon – Hack The Innovative Future 

Celebrating the current year as the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-India diplomatic relations, the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi has been organising series of events in India to celebrate the occasion. Ideathon is also one of these events planned for the year 2022.

The Steering Committee of 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Japan-India Diplomatic Relations” consists of the Embassy of Japan, Japan Association Delhi, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India (JCCII), Japan Foundation New Delhi, JETRO New Delhi Office, JICA India Office and JNTO Delhi Office, is organising this event.

Starting September 16, youths from Japan and India got together under the youth exchange program in New Delhi to participate in 900km venture-based Ideathon “Hack the Innovative Future” that will culminate in India’s temple city Varanasi on September 24.

Divided into 10 teams of four with two youths from Japan and India each, these selected youths after starting from New Delhi halted at Agra, and will go to Lucknow, and finally Prayagraj experiencing diverse culture and values. Here, these teams would stay for three days, and make presentations on their experiences and learning.