Shrunali Ranade, 32, was born and raised in Pune, India, and has resided in Greater Tokyo since 2015. She works as a mechanical engineer at a machinery manufacturing company and also represents Japan on the women’s national cricket team.

1. Can you tell us a bit about your early life in India and what first drew you to Japan? My connection to Japan began during my school years, when I had the chance to represent India at the Youth Environmental Conference in Kobe in 2008, a four-day summit that left a lasting impression on me. Later, while studying mechanical engineering in Pune, a Japanese company came to recruit on campus. My experience in Japan helped me stand out and ultimately led to an offer. I joined as one of the first Indian women engineers at the company, shaping both my career path and my decision to move here permanently.

2. How did you get into both engineering and cricket? My father is my inspiration. He worked as an electronics and telecommunications engineer, and also served as an umpire for the Cricket Club of India. Growing up, I watched him balance his career and his passion with so much enthusiasm. When it came time to make my own choices, both paths felt natural. Today, I’m a mechanical engineer — and I also play cricket.