Japanese Woman Leaves Microsoft to Teach Indian Philosophy

Riko Wathabe, a Japanese woman, made a life-changing decision to leave her job at Microsoft after being inspired by the Bhagavad Gita. Her journey began when she received the Gita from a stranger, leading her to explore Indian philosophy deeply. Now, she teaches the Gita and other Indian texts in Japan, sharing her newfound knowledge and passion. Riko's story highlights the growing interest in Indian spirituality abroad and her commitment to spreading these teachings.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 31, 2026, 22:06 IST

A Journey Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita

The promotion of Sanatan Dharma has been ongoing in India for a long time, and now it has also reached foreign shores, where chants of 'Hare Rama, Hare Krishna' can be heard. The fascination for Lord Krishna is growing, especially among foreigners who are embracing India's ancient traditions. One such individual is a Japanese woman who was gifted the Bhagavad Gita by a stranger and has since left her job at Microsoft to teach Indian philosophy. Let's learn more about her journey.

From Corporate Life to Spiritual Teaching

The impact of the Bhagavad Gita on this young Japanese woman has been profound enough for her to turn down a lucrative position at Microsoft. Now, she is dedicated to teaching the Gita and Indian philosophy in Japan. Her name is Riko Wathabe, and her journey began when an unknown person presented her with a copy of the Gita, which was in Japanese. Within just three days, she found herself in Kurukshetra, where she presented her research paper on the Gita at a seminar. Reading the Gita transformed Riko's life completely. After completing her schooling, she studied at Kanagawa College of Foreign Studies and later pursued English and Commerce in England, where she worked as a trainee with local government. She also collaborated with companies like Microsoft and Fuji as a translator. It was during this time that she received the Gita, which sparked her interest in learning more about Lord Krishna and other religious texts.

Riko shared that she met Mukesh from Delhi during a visit to Tokyo Disneyland. Mukesh was involved in importing Indian clothing to Japan. Their friendship blossomed, and despite Mukesh's limited Japanese, Riko helped him improve. They decided to marry, but faced opposition from their families. While Mukesh managed to convince his family, Riko's family was initially resistant. Eventually, they married in 2000 and later celebrated their wedding in Delhi according to Indian customs. Riko traveled to India alone and welcomed their son, whom they named Arjun, in 2005. After the birth of her son, Riko's family accepted her.

Teaching in Japan

After marriage, Riko expressed her desire to learn more about Indian philosophy, leading Mukesh to introduce her to Guru MK Panda from Odisha. Under his guidance, she studied the Gita, Vedas, Yoga, and Indian philosophy. Riko decided to promote these teachings in Japan, leaving her job to spread knowledge about the Gita, Vedas, and Ramayana. She now teaches Indian philosophy and the Gita at various yoga institutes across Japan.