A Japanese Engineer’s Journey in India’s Railway Revolution
From Japan to India: Kazuma Tobinaga’s Inspiring Cross-Cultural Engineering Story.
How Japanese Shinkansen technology is transforming Indian railways through international collaboration and cultural exchange.
Namaste! My name is Kazuma Tobinaga, and I’m currently working on an extraordinary project that’s making history
Introducing Japan’s renowned Shinkansen (bullet train) technology to India. After 12 years as a railway engineer in Japan, I made the life-changing decision to move to India and work alongside brilliant Indian engineers to revolutionize transportation in this rapidly growing nation.
What My Indian Colleagues Taught Me: The Power of “Why?”
Working in India revealed a striking contrast to Japan’s traditional engineering culture. While we often accept practices with “that’s how it’s always been done,” Indian engineers constantly challenge assumptions with probing questions: “Why?” “What documents support this?” “Who approved this decision?”This relentless curiosity initially surprised me but proved to be the hallmark of true engineering excellence. Their persistent inquiry deepened my understanding and pushed me to become a better engineer.
Equally inspiring is their professional pride. Indian engineers approach even the most challenging tasks with enthusiasm, confidently declaring, “I’ll take the lead on this!” When they say “I am an expert,” it’s with genuine self-assurance—a quality that Japanese engineers sometimes forget to express.
Their questioning mindset and confident professionalism have taught me valuable lessons about technical leadership and authentic expertise.
Few Japanese can confidently declare “I am an expert.” This likely stems from our cultural values of bushido, wabi-sabi, and humility – the philosophy of “not being arrogant.”
Cultural Adaptation: From Shock to Understanding.
Learning to Navigate Different Communication Styles.
My first major culture shock was when I saw a 30-page English contract that stated, “Everything must be executed.” I was overwhelmed!
However, after meeting with the team and discussing it directly, I realized that this meant “every effort will be made”—a much more cooperative and reassuring expression. Price negotiations also provided new learning opportunities. Conditions accepted yesterday may change the next day. At first, I was exhausted by the cultural differences. Still, I began to see this flexibility as a cultural strength and accepted it as a positive element rather than an obstacle.
Combining Vertical Expertise with Horizontal Collaboration.
India excels in vertical specialization. Each field has clearly defined experts with deep knowledge. Japan’s strength lies in horizontal collaboration and cross-functional teamwork. The combination of these approaches creates incredibly powerful project teams.
As someone bridging design, procurement, and construction teams, I find every day fulfilling and dynamic. This cross-cultural collaboration is producing results neither country could achieve alone.
Shinkansen Technology: More Than Engineering—It’s Philosophy
Tobi san, something I’ve always been curious about – what makes Japanese Shinkansen technology work so well in India?”
“The 60+ year safety record of Japan’s shinkansen stems from continuous refinement and rigorous testing, with a focus on preventing both mechanical failures and service disruptions.”
For this project, we retested parts that have been used in domestic bullet trains for 30 to 40 years for use in India. The result: zero failures. This reaffirmed the exceptional reliability of Japanese components and reinforced my belief that Japanese engineering philosophy is what truly underpins our technology.India today is experiencing remarkable economic growth – cities expanding, living standards rising rapidly. It reminds me of what Japan’s own high-growth era must have been like. I take great pride in knowing that Japanese technology is playing a role in this transformation.”
Message to Indians Learning Japanese
Your self-expression is a treasure
First of all, thank you for your interest in Japan
While few Indians in the railway sector speak Japanese, I’m always delighted to meet those learning it. When someone says they want to “ride the Shinkansen” or “eat Hamamatsu gyoza,” their genuine affection for Japan brings me great joy.My biggest message: Japanese people should be more bold in self-expression! While we tend to be reserved, your brightness and direct communication are invaluable assets. Cultural differences aren’t obstacles—they’re treasures that enrich collaboration.Your unique perspective perfectly complements the Japanese way of working. Together, we’re proving that cultural diversity enhances rather than hinders professional success.
Creating History Together: The Future of Japan-India Railway Cooperation
This project marks the first full-scale overseas deployment of Japanese Shinkansen technology—we’re literally making history. Working between 45°C construction sites and 16°C offices, I collaborate daily with talented Indian colleagues in extreme conditions.We’re proving to the world that cultural differences become collaborative strengths, not barriers. This Japan-India railway partnership demonstrates how international engineering cooperation should work.To Japanese language learners everywhere: use your skills with confidence! Your dedication will create meaningful connections and touch hearts across cultures.
