I am delighted to present the excerpts of my heart-to-heart conversation with Jishnu Madhavan, revered Indian entrepreneur who has spent over two decades building bridges between India and Japan - setting up ventures of enduring value props while connecting a few of the many dots between two ancient civilizations.
His story took root in the spice-scented air of Thalassery, a municipal town in the Indian state of Kerala, where his childhood was shaped by the decorum and discipline of the joint family structure, as also the warmth and wisdom of his doting parents. His father, Puthiyaveedu Madhavan Nair, worked in Kerala's Education Department and retried as a State Administration officer, while his mother, Karipalli Vimala, managed their bustling household with the customary resolve that explains why housewives are called homemakers. The family home buzzed with the presence of extended family members, creating what Jishnu describes as "a built-in support system with shared resources and a strong sense of community."
"My childhood flourished in Thalassery's sacred town of Thiruvangad, blessed by the divinity and grace of the Perumal and Anjaneya deities of the iconic Thiruvangad Sree Rama Swami Temple. Further, living in a joint family helped me develop social skills," Jishnu exclaims as his eyes light up recounting those formative years.
"Living in a joint family helped me develop social skills," he explains, his eyes light up as he recalls those formative years. "My parents created a wonderful environment for learning. Apart from our academic books, we had access to newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express, magazines like Frontline and Sports Star, and even library memberships. The well-rounded exposure to diverse perspectives shaped my worldview early on."
From his elementary years at a private school run by the Rotary Club to the time spent at St. Joseph Boys High School from fifth to tenth standard, Jishnu had the zeal, zest, and fortitude that helped defined his entrepreneurial success later in life.
"I was always curious, a bit bold rather," he admits with a smile. "I was always a people person, blessed with the knack of quickly making friends, both in school and university.” Although my first brush with leadership was my election to the post of department secretary in college, some of the leadership traits ran in my veins given that my maternal grandfather was a panchayath president during the early 1960s and my father was the head of several non-profit organizations.
Jishnu’s academic interests were diverse – history and chemistry captured his imagination in school, while economics fascinated him in later years. Though he eventually pursued computer science for his masters at Bharathiar University in Coimbatore, his heart was always drawn to business and networking.
The decision to study computer science wasn't entirely his own. "I always wanted to do an MBA because I had a flair for sales, marketing, and networking," Jishnu reveals. "But there was pressure from family and people around me to focus on computer science. Since the field was booming in those days, I thought I'd give it a try."
This seemingly reluctant entry into technology proved fortuitous. "Doing computer science helped me understand hardcore technical aspects, which later helped tremendously in my business ventures," he reflects. After completing his studies, Jishnu moved to Bangalore, positioning himself at the heart of India's emerging tech revolution.
Having said that, his eyes were already set on a different horizon – one that most of his contemporaries weren't even considering.
While his peers dreamed of making it big in the Silicon Valley of California, US or some similar haven in a European country, Jishnu was captivated by something which lay to his East. "At a very young age, I wanted to be a businessman and hoped to go abroad and set up a business unit," he says. "I was deeply fascinated by Japan's technological prowess, post-war resilience and recovery, and unique cultural concepts like Samurai, Kaizen, and Ikigai."
His early exposure to Japan came through a cousin who was settled there, sparking a curiosity that would shape his entire career.
The opportunity finally came in 2003, when Jishnu made the big leap to the country of his liking with a venture called Simplex Japan. "All the hard work paid off when I incepted a successful business unit in IT services with Simplex," he recalls.
What was a single venture of modest beginnings soon grew into a giant mission of connecting the best of talent across continents. In a span of two decades, Jishnu brought more than 300 Indian engineers and trainees to Japan, providing them with job opportunities in a country that was just beginning to open its doors to foreign talent.
"The journey was not easy," he acknowledges. "The language barrier, differences in food and culture definitely made life difficult, but I was doing what I always wanted to do and couldn't ask for more."
His efforts weren't one-directional. Jishnu also facilitated the journey of Japanese graduate students to India for technical and English language training. In a particularly innovative move, he travelled to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to hire Japanese-speaking Mongolians, brought them to Bangalore for English and IT technology training, and then provided them with job opportunities in Japan. "I also helped several Indian diploma engineers enrol for HIDA training programs, which is a Japanese government program for technical diploma holders," he says with a voice conveying the fulfilment of having touched people’s lives.
Living in Japan for over two decades has given Jishnu unique insights into both cultures. "When I came to Japan, I was surprised by the emphasis on punctuality and adherence to a strict dress code, often involving suits and a limited colour palette," he remembers. "The hierarchy is prominent, and group harmony is prioritized over individual expression."
The initial years were challenging, particularly the language barrier. "During those days, in the early 2000s, there were no translation apps, and the majority of Japanese don't speak English. They can be quite shy while addressing foreigners."
But it was the kindness of common Japanese people that came to Jishnu’s rescue. "During my first month in Tokyo, I was struggling to find the location of one of my customer's offices. A middle-aged woman, noticing my confusion, not only gave me directions but also accompanied me to the destination. It was very heartwarming."
Today, Madhavan looks at the India-Japan relationship beyond business opportunities. "The Indo-Japan dynamic is a growing strategic partnership, connecting Himalayas with Mt. Fuji with expanding economic and security cooperation, alongside rich cultural exchange," he explains.
The cultural connections run deep. "India and Japan share a rich cultural connection with no conflicts whatsoever, and is primarily rooted in the historical introduction of Buddhism from India to Japan. Several Hindu deities have been integrated into Japanese religious practices – Saraswati as Benzaiten, Ganesha as Kangiten, Shiva as Daikokuten, and Lakshmi as Kichijoten – creating a rock-solid spiritual bridge between the two nations."
He's particularly moved by the diplomatic initiative that emerged from the friendship between Prime Minister Modi and the late Shinzo Abe. "H.E. Shri Sibi George, India's Ambassador to Japan, introduced the inspiring slogan: 'CONNECTING HIMALAYAS WITH MOUNT FUJI.' This represents more than diplomatic rhetoric – it symbolizes the spiritual, cultural, and now increasing economic bonds between these two great nations."
Madhavan's entrepreneurial journey has taken him far beyond the India-Japan corridor. He has successfully set up companies in China, USA, Hong Kong, and Dubai, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities.
"The toughest experience was China," he confesses. "In 2008, I set up a branch office of a Japanese company in Dalian. From food and language barriers to cultural differences, complex regulations, and intense competition – nothing came easy. Attracting and retaining skilled employees was a formidable challenge."
In contrast, he found USA, Hong Kong, and Dubai "relatively easy – just follow the process and you are sorted," he says with a chuckle.
One of Jishnu’s key strengths is his ability to work with both public and private entities. As a Member of Loka Kerala Sabha, representing NRI Malayalees in Japan for the Kerala government, he has had the opportunity to sit with Kerala Cabinet and legislators at the Kerala legislative assembly premises.
"I gave recommendations to the Kerala government to incorporate Japanese language as curriculum starting from high school students onwards," he says. He's also served as a friend of Madhya Pradesh Government for Japan and has been a regular invitee to major investment summits including Vibrant Gujarat Summit; Tamil Nadu Global Investor Meet and Bengaluru Tech Summit.
A scintillating highlight of Madhavan's career was his involvement in hosting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. "I was part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics & Paralympics Committee and headed a team of 100 plus members for Tokyo Olympic support activities," he recalls with glowing pride.
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a unique and memorable experience of contributing to a global event. I got quality exposure to diverse people, learnt new skills, and met several international sporting icons and Olympic legends." he says, glowing with pride. His contributions were recognized by the International Olympics Committee, adding another feather to his cap of achievements.
Beyond business, Jishnu is a voracious traveller and reader. "I've travelled to more than 25 countries and 18 Indian states and close to 30 Japanese prefectures. Travel provided me firsthand experiences that enhance cultural awareness and appreciation for different ways of life and diverse people."
His love for meeting people goes beyond networking. "I feel social interactions have mood-boosting and stress-reducing effects and also broaden my perspectives through exposure to diverse cultures and new friendships. I am deeply indebted to my Japanese friends who supported me whole heartedly and are now an integral part of my extended family."
Jishnu’s most cherished memories include scaling the summit of the Mt. Fuji and unfurling the Indian tricolor and Japanese ‘Hinomaru’ sun-mark flag, visiting the atomic bomb centre and museum in Hiroshima which imparted to me a deep sense of responsibility, and meeting and shaking hands with Prime Minister Modi in 2014 which was a great honor and a dream come true.
As a proactive supporter of Prime Minster Modi’s Make in India Campaign, Jishnu has been instrumental in materializing the first investment from Japan to India to fund a Indo-Japan Joint Venture and setting up a foundry for auto component manufacturing in Bangalore. Jishnu also launched NehaN Technologies K.K. in 2020 with his friend Anil Raj of Raj group, continuing his mission of creating purposeful opportunities across borders.
Jishnu is also the advisor to National Institute of Technology, Calicut for their Japan activities. He is the co-founder of Indian IT Association Japan and IT CEO club comprising Indian CEOs having their operations in Japan. He is one of the founding members of Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (Japan Chapter) and member of Japan-India Association, which is the oldest private organization promoting friendship in Japan, and its chairman is Mr. Yoshihide Suga, former Prime Minister of Japan. Jishnu is an active proponent of the Startup mission and advises young students in India on how to secure admission to Japanese universities and shape their career development in Japan. Going forward, he keenly looks forward to contribute even more to the Indo-Japan relationship across all possible forms and facets.
Reflecting on the disruptions that will shape the future, Jishnu points to "rapid technological advancements, particularly in AI and automation, and drastic shifts in societal values and expectations" while underlining his firm belief in the transformative power of human connections. He continues to work on joint ventures, including a project with Japan corporation for car interior parts manufacturing in Bangalore, and represents Gopalan Aerospace in Japan, part of the larger Gopalan group involved in composite manufacturing and engineering services in aerospace.
Jishnu’s passion for his work is evident in the way he operates. He is not your everyday entrepreneur – he's a cultural ambassador, a bridge-builder, and a shining example of how individual initiatives can strengthen ties between nations.
"From Buddha to Bullet train, the Indo-Japan connect is a spiritual pilgrimage blessed with high-speed travel, which is moving from strength to strength, especially after 2014, what with strengthened economic ties and purposeful collaboration in key areas like technology, trade, deeper defence ties and sustainability," he reflects.
Talking of moments of crisis and reckoning, Jishnu cites the horror of The Great East Japan Earthquake which he calls the toughest moment in his 22 years of life in Japan. The March 11, 2011 earthquake of magnitude 9.0, and the subsequent tsunami, left Japan devastated, even as over 15,000 people lost their lives and thousands went missing. The widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure was a socio-economic blow with few parallels.
The disaster also triggered a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, adding another layer of complexity and fear to the situation. The fatal combination of the earthquake, tsunami, nuclear crisis, and cold weather created a multifaceted disaster that impacted the lives of millions of people in Japan.
Jishnu recounts the life-threatening experience, which underlines how individual resolve and empathy can make a huge difference in times of crisis:
“I was in my Tokyo office when the earthquake struck and there was panic and chaos all around. With the nuclear accident, most foreigners started leaving Japan, but I stayed back and volunteered in relief efforts, taking care of my employees and their families, and offering encouragement to all I met during the difficult time. I kept repeating “Ganbaro!” (Keep your spirits up!) During this incident, I witnessed the resilience of the Japanese people first-hand and this made my admiration of Japan grown bigger. I continue to engage with many NPOs and volunteered for relief activities during floods and other natural disasters.
A committed householder, Jishnu is a firm believer in close-knit family structures and values. His wife, Chennai-born Bijula Puthan Veettil, works for the American Investment Bank, Citibank North America. Their daughter, Niharika Jishnu studies International Business and Economics at Tokyo’s prestigious Jochi (Sophia) University. Her book “Scattered Thoughts - Take one" is a compelling bouquet in verse form that beautifully captures the fleeting moments and profound emotions of life. https://www.amazon.in/Scattered-Thoughts-Niharika-Jishnu/dp/9365542987
His sibling, Amrutha Suraj, is a teacher at the National Public School, Bengaluru, and well settled in the garden city of India with her family.
Jishnu Madhavan's thought leadership voyage from God’s own country to the land of the rising sun illustrates how cultural curiosity, coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit and genuine compassion for the community at large, can create a lasting impact across continents - connecting people, cultures, and opportunities across the vast expanse that lies between the Himalayas and Mt. Fuji.
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