Japanese woman shares her honest take on India after living in Mumbai for 8 months

A Japanese woman living in Mumbai has questioned social media posts that highlight only India's negative side. Her remarks sparked discussion on judging countries through lived experience rather than online stereotypes.Japanese woman shares her honest take on India after living in Mumbai for 8 months (Photos: @hikarusan.india/Instagram)Mumbai,Oct 9, 2026 18:27 ISTA Japanese woman living in Mumbai has questioned why some people focus on the negative aspects of India, arguing that every country has its share of good and bad, and that experiencing a place firsthand offers a different perspective.Hikraru San, who moved to India eight months ago, shared her thoughts in an Instagram video. She said she often received recommendations and warnings about India from Japanese people and others, some of whom described the country as dirty or highlighted its negative aspects.“I think every country has its pros and cons,” she said, questioning why people chose to focus on such content and make a living from posting it online. “But what's the point of picking it up and posting it to make a living?”Hikraru also stressed the importance of experiencing a place firsthand rather than forming opinions based solely on social media. She pointed out that Japan, too, had places that were dirty, something people might not realise if they did not live there. She added that India was vast and experiences could differ depending on where someone lived. “I live in Mumbai, so India is big. So I think it depends on the place,” she said, clarifying that her views were based on her own experience of living in the city.Reflecting on her time in India, Hikraru said she had been surprised by small things but had not encountered the kind of experiences that some online posts portrayed. She also questioned who benefited from content that consistently presented the country in a negative light. In the caption accompanying the video, she wrote, “Moving to India changed the way I see so many things.”She added that she wanted to keep showing the world “just how beautiful and amazing India truly is.”Watch the video here:Her video prompted discussion among viewers. Some agreed that every country had both good and bad people, while others praised her for sharing a positive perspective on India.One user also said her message should encourage people to take greater pride in keeping the country clean.- Ends