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 has even reached foreign shores, with many people chanting 'Hare Rama, Hare Krishna.' The fascination for Lord Krishna is growing, especially among foreigners who are embracing India's ancient traditions. One notable 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. Who is she?

Leaving Microsoft to Share Indian Philosophy

The impact of the Bhagavad Gita on this young Japanese woman has been profound enough for her to turn down a prestigious position at Microsoft. Now, she is dedicated to teaching the Gita and Indian philosophy in Japan. Her name is Riko Wathabe, and after receiving the Gita from an unknown person, she traveled to Kurukshetra within just three days. There, she presented her research paper on the Gita at a seminar. Reading the Gita transformed Riko's life, leading her to study 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 she received the Gita in Japanese at Tokyo Station, sparking her interest in Lord Krishna and other religious texts.

Riko shared that she met Mukesh, a Delhi resident, during a visit to Tokyo Disneyland. Mukesh imports Indian garments to Japan, and their friendship blossomed. Although Mukesh struggled with Japanese, Riko helped him improve. They decided to marry, but faced opposition from their families. While Mukesh managed to convince his family, Riko's parents were initially resistant. Eventually, they married in 2000 and later had a traditional wedding in Delhi. Riko traveled to India alone and welcomed their son, whom they named Arjun, in 2005. After his birth, Riko's family accepted her.

Riko Now Teaches in Japan

After their 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. Determined to promote these teachings in Japan, Riko left her job and began spreading knowledge of the Gita, Vedas, and Ramayana. She now teaches at various yoga institutes across Japan.