Yogendra Puranik, also known as Yogi, is a notable Indian-born Japanese politician. He made history in 2019 by becoming the first person of Indian origin to be elected as a city councilor in Japan, representing Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward.
Initially working in the IT sector, he transitioned to banking. Puranik’s political journey began after he became actively involved in his community, addressing issues between Indian and Japanese residents in Nishikasai. His efforts during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 further solidified his reputation as a community leader.
Puranik’s election win in 2019 was driven by his promise to represent the foreign community’s interests and bridge gaps between diverse groups. In 2022, he achieved another milestone by becoming the first foreign-origin principal of a public school in Japan. Indiaspora is proud to have Yogendra Puranik in our Global Government List.