New Yorker Runs for Mayor in Aichi City
A New York born former city assemblyman is running for mayor of Inuyama city in Aichi Prefecture.
The 48 year old Bianchi (like the bicycle) would become the first person born in the West to become a municipality head.
Besides the typical political ramblings, the westerner says he is not bogged down by "shigarami" (obligation or indebtedness) and because he is a westerner, people will tolerate him if he is "a little bit more direct."
However, in the political world, and Japan is no difference, there is a need for compromise, I-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine, and a lot of double speak.
The city of 75,000 elected Bianchi to the city assembly with a record vote. Next is Mayor, then governor, then PM, then the world.
When I was appointed Honcho (local head in our neighborhood) for a year I thought I had hit the big time.
Can a westerner play politics in the east?
What do you think?
