This edition written by Aditya Mendonça looks at how young entrepreneurs, a global brand, from Japan and India’s workforce are reshaping #AtmanirbharBharat
From Tokyo to Bangalore — UNIQLO has arrived. No more trips to Mumbai or Delhi for their signature Japanese minimalism. We got a sneak peek at the pre-launch on Aug 28, and it feels like the city’s style game has levelled up.
Hats off to Phase 1 Events and Experiences Rahman Hifzu for turning the launch into an experience across the city and the mall — proof that international brands can arrive with both scale and sensitivity. Credit too to Pavitra Shankar, her father and Chairman M R Jaishankar and the team at Brigade Group Brigade Hospitality for anchoring this new retail chapter in Bangalore’s story. It was great meeting Deepti Karam Thakur Kenji Inoue and more from UNIQLO as their team explained the unique features of their app, membership, clothes to try and more!
From – L to R – Aditya Mendonca, Kenji Inoue, MR Jaishankar, Sandhya Mendonca
But here’s the bigger picture: 🇯🇵 Since 2000, Japanese firms have invested $43B+ in India. 🇯🇵 Nearly 1,400 Japanese companies operate here across 5,000 establishments. 🇯🇵 UNIQLO alone is targeting ₹3,000 crore sales in India within 3 years.
With PM Modi in Japan right now, it’s a reminder that these ties aren’t just about boardrooms — they’re shaping everyday life in our cities.
1. Japanese influence in India is expanding — from ramen & matcha to sake & whiskey.
2.The next wave could shape infrastructure, cycling-friendly cities, and wellness.
3. Influence flows both ways — India’s UPI and Ayurveda could travel east, while Japan’s tea culture (green tea to matcha, now outpacing global demand) continues to inspire us here.
4. Bring 7/11 to India like Japan — but with quick commerce already reshaping habits, we’re seeing Indians grow lazier, more obese, and less active. The bigger opportunity isn’t just convenience, it’s building world-class public transport into our cluttered cities.
Being at the right place, at the right time? Maybe. The real question: where else will Japanese influence show up in India’s daily life? Matcha is on the rise across cities and palletes.
