On March 26, 2026, the ICIJ Hall hosted the "Women Who Lead" event, an insightful evening featuring four distinguished Indian female entrepreneurs and executives in Japan, who have navigated the unique complexities of the Japanese business landscape. Through their personal accounts, the panelists shared the realities of building successful careers as women and foreigners in Japan, offering a balanced perspective on professional growth and cultural adaptation.

The event was opened by Mr. Manjul Agarwal, the Governor of ICIJ Youth Group, and emceed by Ms. Kavya Sharma, the Head of the Finance and Entrepreneurial Working Group. The fireside chat was moderated by Ms. Sharika Jain, the Head of the Social and Cultural Working Group

 

Journeys of Resilience

• Ms. Rachna Ratra (Managing Director, Robert Walters Japan) reflected on her 27-year tenure in Japan. She entered the recruitment industry in 2004, a time when male-dominated structures were the norm. Through dedication, she rose to become the Managing Director of the firm, witnessing firsthand the gradual shift in client preferences toward more diverse leadership.
   

• Ms. Popi Kuroda (CEO, Mumbai Restaurants), who has resided in Japan for 40 years, shared her experience as an entrepreneur. Encouraged by her mother to leverage her cultural heritage, she established an Indian restaurant near the Indian Embassy in Tokyo. Her success has since expanded to multiple locations across Tokyo, serving as a bridge between Indian and Japanese cultures.
   

• Ms. Shangrila Jain (Journalist, NHK World Services) spoke about her transition from pilot training to the media industry. She credited the discipline and resilience gained during her aviation training as the foundation for her career, which has spanned various roles at All India Radio and NHK in Japan.
   

• Ms. Sujata Kolekar (Managing Director, Accenture Japan) shared her experience as an internal transfer within a global firm. Acknowledging the challenges faced by foreign women in Japanese leadership roles, she emphasized that upskilling, building strong professional relationships and networks are essential for effective performance.
  
   

Insights on Leadership and Management

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During the Q&A session with the members of the audience, the speakers addressed the nuances of leadership and team management in a cross-cultural environment:
 

• Mentorship and Support: Ms. Rachna stressed the importance of seeking out female mentors, particularly in industries where women in leadership positions are rare. She encouraged aspiring leaders to actively identify and learn from those who have navigated similar paths.
   

• Cultural Synergy: Ms. Popi noted that managing diverse teams requires an understanding of different work styles. She observed that while Japanese staff tend to be methodical planners, Indian staff are often adept at quick problem-solving. She highlighted the value of accepting these differences rather than trying to force a uniform approach, allowing each team member to contribute their strengths.
   

• Empathy and Adaptability: Ms. Sujata discussed the value of understanding the personal contexts of team members to build trust, viewing this as a primary tool for effective management. Ms. Shangrila added that in sensitive fields like media, constant mindfulness and adaptation are necessary. Rachna shared her experience during the pandemic of how a person to person working environment took a 180-degree turn and how she needed to show empathy to people remotely and make sure that her team was alright despite not being able to interact in person as usual. Such mindset shifts were insightful to the Youth members who are part of an ever-changing business environment.

The event concluded with remarks from Mr. Jagmohan Chandrani, the president of ICIJ, and a networking dinner sponsored by the Sai Hira India Foundation. The event served as a powerful source of inspiration, showing that success in career and life is possible while building a future far from home, and encouraging the next generation of professionals to lead with confidence and ambition.