New Yorker, now councilman in Japan, aims to inspire American high schoolers

By Kevin Kuo

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Peaceful_Man at 08:17 PM JST - 14th May

If he has Japanese nationality he should have a Japanese name (Kanji?) Also he is supposed to give up his US nationality. Although he is doing good things and I don't want to take that away from him the article should mention this because it gives the impression that any old Gaijin can become a politician if thay want to.
Stallion at 09:14 PM JST - 14th May

I'm sure the kids will be real inspired not to give up their long-held dreams of being a councilman in backwater Japan.

Just saying, is all.
kinniku at 09:20 PM JST - 14th May

Peaceful man,

Yes, that was my point as well. Nothing against the man himself. He strikes me as a decent and upstanding citizen.
VoXman at 05:00 AM JST - 15th May

Why is Japan the only country that expects you to change your name when you don the citizenship. We are named by our parents that is significant to some. Should I adopt a Japanese Oka-san?
blvtzpk at 08:14 AM JST - 15th May

I didn’t know an American could do that in Japan.

They cannot. Mr. Bianchi became a Japanese citizen in 1992. The article should really mention that he is a citizen of Japan.

I missed this first time around. Why was the original poster's comment removed (the one kinniku is quoting)? There is nothing above his post, and the quote seems very on-topic!!!
telecasterplayer at 08:14 AM JST - 15th May

He DID win the election, good for him. I remember stories about Bianchi's candidacy but never saw a follow-up. Inuyama is a neat little town, too, right in between Gifu and Nagoya. GREAT original castle, if you're close-by and have the time to visit.
rjd_jr at 08:57 AM JST - 15th May

Great for him. Unlike people that nitpick and see the bad in all things in life, people like Bianchi-san are people of action, conviction, and dedication. Great for him, and wish him many more years of success.
Peaceful_Man at 09:03 AM JST - 15th May

Kinniku. I agree with you too. Good for Bianchi. But it was a sloppy article not to mention the major point of him taking Japanese nationality and giving up his US citizenship. Gives readers the wrong impression that any old Gaijin could do this if they want to. You have to become Japanese first!
greensatindress at 09:17 AM JST - 15th May

I have to admire this man because being a councilman in Japan has to be one of the most tedious & frustrating jobs ever! He must have the patience of Job--or maybe not and that's why he is accomplishing things...
NeoJamal at 10:37 PM JST - 15th May

Can someone please explain to me, how living in a hole in Aichi that borders with Gifu is something to inspire for Brooklynites? I think a more urban environment, at least the somewhere with a stature comparable to Katsushika-ku would minimally suit the dignity of someone from Brooklyn
stanoue at 09:32 AM JST - 17th May

Inuyama is great - don't knock it. And this guy was my hubby's junior high English teacher- its nice to see that JET leads to other things for some people.
rjd_jr at 10:19 AM JST - 18th May

Obvious some are way missing the point. Where Bianchi san lives and works in Japan is irrelevant, that he IS in Japan as a councilman is the point. That a foreign caucasian can become a councilman in a completely alien world and culture, that is the main point.
kinniku at 09:20 PM JST - 18th May

rjd jr,

That a foreign caucasian can become a councilman in a completely alien world and culture, that is the main point.

Respectfully, a "foreign caucasian" cannot become a councilman in Japan unless they become a Japanese citizen. Then they are no longer 'foreign' in Japan. Mr. Bianchi is a Japanese citizen who is caucasian. Yet, I have never seen this mentioned when there is an article about him. All the articles make it seem as though a foreigner can just come to Japan and become a Japanese politician. Mr. Bianchi is a caucasian Japanese or a Japanese of American descent.

As far as where he lives being relavent or not. I agree with you, it isn't. An American Japanese becoming a councilman is a pretty big deal no matter what locale it is in.
nimbus at 10:42 AM JST - 21st May

So is he an American-Japanese?
rjd_jr at 12:42 PM JST - 21st May

True kinniku, but when he first went to Japan he was a foreign caucasian, so you know what I meant.