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BOROUGH PRESIDENT WELCOMES HOME A BROOKLYNITE WHO MADE POLITICAL HISTORY IN JAPAN

A boy from Bensonhurst is now a city councilmember in Japan!

Photograph by Kathryn Kirk
	In photo: left to right - Masahiro Fukukawa, Deputy Consul General & Deputy Chief of Mission at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, Councilmember Bianchi and Borough President Markowitz.

Borough President Marty Markowitz honored Brooklynite Anthony Bianchi, who made political history by becoming the first North American to win an elective office in Japan, with a Brooklyn style Italian and Japanese reception today at Borough Hall. Councilmember Bianchi created international headlines in April when he captured a seat in the Inuyama City Council.

“Anthony Bianchi has proven once again if you’re from Brooklyn absolutely anything is possible! We’re well on our way to making Japan the Brooklyn of the Far East as our world domination continues. Pretty soon Brooklyn will be able to establish its own United Nations,” Borough President Markowitz said. “All of Brooklyn joins me in welcoming our favorite Japanese elected official back home for a very unique, Brooklyn style Italian and Japanese celebration, combining both his past and his present.”

“Don’t ever tell a kid from Brooklyn that you can’t do something. Brooklyn is the greatest classroom in the world,” Councilmember Bianchi said. “I was thrilled when I was elected to the city council, but to be recognized by my hometown is a very special honor. I was in two separate worlds before, and now it feels like both have been brought together. I want to thank Borough President Markowitz for this incredible celebration.”

One of Councilmember Bianchi’s main goals during his four year term is to make his government more transparent. He has succeeded in getting transcripts of Inuyama City Council meetings published and is working on getting them televised. Before being elected, the Xaverian High School graduate taught English in Japan, where he’s lived for almost 15 years.

The central Japanese city of Inuyama, which has 73,000 residents, is a magnet for tourists who flock to visit the country’s oldest wooden castle. Located on a river, Inuyama is also known for its various festivals.

In a world-wide trend, he is the second Brooklynite and the first male to win an elective office outside of the United States. Last year, Athens, Greece City Councilmember Yvette Jarvis, who grew up in Red Hook, became the first Brooklynite to win an elective office overseas. Borough President Markowitz honored Councilmember Jarvis at a Borough Hall ceremony in March.

Masahiro Fukukawa, Deputy Consul General & Deputy Chief of Mission at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, and Councilmember Vincent Gentile also paid tribute to Councilmember Bianchi.