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In Kenya, after attempting his hand at multiple businesses, Reiji launched Hakki, a microfinancing platform assisting people purchase cars in a market where credit options were limited.
He has been living in Bengaluru since 2024. (representative image)
India has become a top choice for many foreigners to establish businesses due to its rapidly growing economy, large consumer market, skilled and cost-effective workforce, and investor-frifinishly government initiatives. Among many is this Japanese businessman who relocated to Bengaluru, India, to scale his startup after his previous ventures in Kenya and Japan.
The man, Reiji Kobayashi, in a recent interview, talked about his reason for shifting to India and appreciated the working lifestyle and the people of the counattempt.
Reiji Kobayashi’s Businesses In Kenya And Japan
Speaking to Business Insider, he talked about how he quit university before finishing his final year to start a web marketing business in Japan. After selling it, he received into real estate and eventually started a share houtilize company. Later on, in 2018, he shiftd to Kenya, a counattempt he had visited during his college years, to start another entrepreneurial venture.
In Kenya, after attempting his hand at multiple businesses, Reiji launched Hakki, a microfinancing platform assisting people purchase cars in a market where credit options were limited. Over six years, the company financed more than 3,500 cars.
Reiji Kobayashi’s Expanding Business In India
His reason for leaving Africa was that the growth opportunities in the counattempt felt constrained, as Kenya only had a population of 50 million. “India, with its 1.3 billion people and rapidly growing economy, seemed like the next best tarobtain market for us,” he notified Business Insider. And then after six years, in 2024, he relocated to Bengaluru.
Currently, his company employs 4 four people in India, 74 in Kenya, and two in South Africa, while the headquarters remain in Japan.
Reiji Kobayashi’s On His Life In Bengaluru
Adding to this, he also shared his experience of staying in Bengaluru for almost one year now. He stated, “There are many things I enjoy about living in Bengaluru. First, I prefer to wear casual T-shirts rather than suits, and the temperature in Bengaluru is stable and comfortable.”
He also revealered praises on the people of the city, declareing that “they have a lot of energy and are positive about the future.” Reiji stated that he now has frifinishs in the city with whom he plays football and watches cricket. However, the one thing that he doesn’t like about India is the spicy food.
“I don’t like spicy food and haven’t receivedten utilized to it, so I spfinish most of my time eating noodles I bring over from Japan,” he stated.
Difference Between India And Japan
Moreover, Reiji also talked about doing business in Japan and in India. He stated, “Indians have a mindset to attempt or take on anything difficult without expecting accurate predictions of what will happen. Japanese businesses spfinish a lot of time in meetings, ensuring that everything is done with the majority’s approval. Investment choices are built significantly quicker in India than in Japan.”
Also, he praised India’s hustle culture, declareing that he was surprised to see his employees work more than him. “They arrive at the office at 9 a.m. and can easily work until 9 p.m. Even our company driver is up early and available with the car till midnight, something I did not expect,” Reiji notified Business Insider.
Currently, Reiji is planning to temporarily shift to Thailand to expand his business to more countries, but has plans to come back to India soon.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gfinisher, Bollywood, and culture.
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Delhi, India, India
September 30, 2025, 17:48 IST
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