Japanese Woman Leaves Microsoft to Teach Indian Philosophy

A Journey Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita

The promotion of Sanatan Dharma has been ongoing in India for a long time, and now it is also resonating in various parts of the world. The chants of 'Hare Rama, Hare Krishna' can be heard abroad, reflecting a growing interest in Lord Krishna and Indian spirituality. Among those captivated is a Japanese woman who received a copy of the Bhagavad Gita as a gift from a stranger and has since left her job at Microsoft to teach Indian philosophy.

From Corporate Life to Spiritual Teaching

The impact of the Bhagavad Gita on this young woman from Japan was profound enough for her to turn down a lucrative position at a major corporation. Her name is Riko Wathabe, and after being gifted the Gita, she traveled to Kurukshetra within just three days. There, she presented her research paper on the Gita at a seminar. Riko's life transformed after reading the text, leading her to pursue studies at Kanagawa College of Foreign Studies, followed by further education in England where she trained with local government. She worked as a translator for companies like Microsoft and Fuji in Japan. It was during this time that a stranger at Tokyo Station gifted her a Japanese version of the Gita, igniting her curiosity about Lord Krishna and other sacred texts.

Riko recounted meeting Mukesh, a man from Delhi, during a visit to Tokyo Disneyland. Mukesh was involved in importing Indian clothing to Japan. Their relationship blossomed, and despite language barriers, Riko helped him improve his Japanese. They decided to marry, but faced opposition from their families. Eventually, Mukesh convinced his family, but Riko's family remained resistant. In 2000, they wed and later celebrated a traditional Indian ceremony in Delhi. Riko moved to India alone and gave birth to a son named Arjun in 2005, after which her family accepted her.

Teaching Indian Philosophy in Japan

After marriage, Riko expressed her desire to learn more about Indian philosophy, leading Mukesh to introduce her to Guru MK Panda in Odisha. Under his guidance, she studied the Gita, Vedas, yoga, and Indian philosophy. Riko decided to dedicate her life to spreading this knowledge in Japan. She left her corporate job and began teaching the Gita, Vedas, and Ramayana at various yoga institutes across the country.