A Review of Indian Migration to Japan

In this chapter, I review sociocultural studies on Indian migration in Japan, focusing on skilled Indian migrants, the formation of the Indian community, and their careers. Indians are highly valued in Japan for their skills. Recognizing the shortage of skilled workers, Japan has introduced work permits and visa schemes to attract Indian talent. However, Japan, along with other East Asian countries, falls behind Western nations in these efforts. Based on a review of existing studies, I argue for the need for more studies related to the interaction between Indian migrants and Japanese majority group members. While previous studies address challenges such as language barriers, they pay limited attention to how migrants engage with Japanese people and systems across contexts, navigate these challenges, and build relationships. Understanding these interactional experiences is crucial for attracting and retaining Indian talent in Japan. This approach would guide Japanese entities in focusing efforts toward a mutually beneficial outcome for both Indian migrants and Japanese people.