Hello r/movingtojapan community,
I'm an Indian professional from the tech industry seriously considering a move to Japan in the year around 2028, specifically to pursue a post-graduate degree.
I've been following the news about the increasing push for foreign talent, particularly from India, given Japan's demographic needs. I've also read about high-level bilateral agreements aimed at increasing human resource exchange (like the target of 50,000 skilled Indian personnel in the next five years, focusing on engineering/academic professionals).
However, as is often the case, the official news and the ground reality can sometimes differ, especially with increasing global anti-immigration sentiment.
My main question is this:
- What is the current ground reality for Indian immigrants (especially professionals/students) in Japan? Is the situation for integration, finding post-study employment, and general social acceptance better or worse than the projected image in the news?
- Are there any significant recent changes (positive or negative) you've observed in attitudes toward Indian immigrants specifically within the last year or two?
A little about my profile and intentions:
- Industry: Tech/Software Engineering.
- Plan: Move for a post-graduate program, with the long-term goal of settling and working as a law-abiding citizen.
- Language: I am committed to learning Japanese to a high proficiency (aiming for business-level) before and during my stay to ensure better integration and career success.
- Context: I am relatively financially secure, which may alleviate some initial economic stress.
- Cultural Respect: I deeply respect Japanese laws and culture and have no intention of offending local sentiments or rules (including noise, public etiquette, etc.).
- Personal Detail (For Context Only): I am Hindu. I mention this only to preemptively address any concerns related to recent geopolitical events often discussed in immigration forums, as I want the conversation to focus on the India-Japan experience.
I'm looking for honest, firsthand accounts or observations from long-term residents, recent movers, or those connected to the professional/academic sphere. Any specific advice for a relatively wealthy, law-abiding, Japanese-learning Indian tech professional/student would be greatly appreciated.
by AdityaV24405