Kumamoto International Archive

Archive of the Kumamoto International Facebook group, 2011–present.

This map shows the government's assessment of the possibility of a major earthquake (lower 6 on the JMA shindo scale) in the next 30 years.
Here's an English article the prediction:
Risk of Huge Quake Stays High on Japan's Pacific Side
https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021032601019/risk-of-huge-quake-stays-high-on-japan%27s-pacific-side.html
-- Kirk
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOGG256ZJ0V20C21A3000000/
30年以内に震度6弱以上、東北で確率上昇　地震調査委
政府の地震調査委員会は26日、全国各地で震度6弱以上の巨大地震に襲われる確率などを示した「全国地震動予測地図」の2020年版を公表した。地図の作製に利用する資料を増やし、予測の精度を高めた。今後30年間に強い揺れ...

Good morning friends.
This is Aso 野焼きNoyaki view around 草千里Kusasenri. Noyaki means the end of Aso winter and the beginning of its beautiful Spring.
After Noyaki, Aso will be colored fresh Spring green day by day.ーAtsuko(ˊ˘ˋ) https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1141145066299525

Today was the warmest (hottest?) day ever in March for Hitoyoshi and Yamaga -- ever!!
Here's a video story from RKK (in Japanese):
https://rkk.jp/news/index.php?id=NS003202103261643570111
-- KIrk

Kirk here with some news about research from Kumamoto University. Sounds like it could be big step forward.
Japanese team develops Covid-19 testing tech using blood, urine
A research team of Kumamoto University in south-western Japan has developed a testing technology to check Covid-19 infection using blood or urine samples, the Jiji Press reported.

I just checked with Lily McDermott and she invited me to pass on the Kumamoto JET program publication YOKA to everyone here. Also, you can see the back issues at
https://kumamotojet.com/
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The 2021 Winter YOKA is here!
https://kumamotojet.com/documents/YOKAs/2021WinterYOKA.pdf
This YOKA features the following...
Yokai - Kumamoto's Hidden Inhabitants by Adam Pool
The Water Dance by Seinao (Lewis Marks)
Ashikita - A Hidden Rural Gem by Niamh Merry
White River by Aaron Long
Photos by Kevin Anderson and Chase Sutherland
This YOKA was designed by Valeria Magallan.
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Hi, Joe Tomei here with this job posting. Please contact the email directly
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Hello. ECC is looking for fun-filled teachers (native English speakers) to teach at kindergartens on Wednesdays.
The pay is 💴 3500/hr. per hour and all the materials are at each school. Really fun work and we also have a paid training.
If interested please email us at [email protected].
Hope to hear from you!

Our friend Bruce has provided a job posting:
Hello. ECC is looking for fun-filled teachers (native English speakers) to teach at kindergartens on Wednesdays.
The pay is 💴 3500/hr. per hour and all the materials are at each school. Really fun work and we also have a paid training.
If interested please email us at [email protected].
Hope to hear from you!

Coming this April 24th and 25th, Organic Festival. Sorry this is in Japanese, but I will try to summarize it in the comments in a day or two, unless someone beats me to it (Atsuko? William?)

I haven't been to the castle in a while. This made me want to check it out again. -- Kirk
GOOD DESIGN award 2020 good focus award: kumamoto castle reconstruction observation path
NIHON SEKKEI has won the GOOD DESIGN award 2020 good focus award for its work on kumamoto castle's reconstruction and observation path.

I think I heard an interview with Fred Rodgers in which he was asked about how to stay positive when bad things happen. His response was to "look for the helpers." I think this article about the restoration of a piano by volunteers fits in that category. -- Kirk
"The grand piano of Watari Elementary School in Kuma, Kumamoto Prefecture, submerged in muddy waters following torrential rain in the Kyushu region last July, was returned to the village Sunday after being restored in Fukushima Prefecture."
https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0007245230

Sorry I couldn't tell you about this in advance, but I learned on the news that this train came through Kumamoto. Here's a link to an RKK report about how Buntoku Gakuen welcomed the train:
https://rkk.jp/news/backno_page.php?id=NS003202103151104240111
It looks pretty cool, in my humble opinion.
--Kirk
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210315/p2a/00m/0bu/007000c
'Shooting Star' bullet train runs in southwestern Japan ahead of full-scale launch - The Mainichi
FUKUOKA -- A special

Devo, my whippet of 15 years, is dying. Cancer has eaten away most of the flesh on his right thigh. I took him to the vet, 龍之介動物病院 on Sangyodourou in Honjo, for his opinion, to get some painkillers, and to discuss euthanasia. Apparently, pet euthanasia is strongly discouraged in Japan. The vet gently explained this to me but said he would be willing to conduct the procedure if I desired. The issue is the animal's welfare: to spare unnecessary pain. Fortunately, the vet prescribed a very strong sedative that has put my dog into a comfortable half-sleep so that he may die at home. For any reader facing such a terrible dilemma, I recommend this veterinarian. - William
Putting your pet to sleep in Japan
We have had our cat for 15 years and unfortunately her condition suddenly took a turn for the worse recently. We took her to the vet who confirmed...

In today’s Kumanichi newspaper, there is an article about 3,333 stone steps in Misato Town which is called “日本一の石段(Japan’s No.1 stone steps in Japan)”.
It says it’s been 33 years since 3333 stone steps were built this year. This year is called 令和3年(Reiwa 3-nen) in Japanese calendar.
So how many “3” are there? There are 7!
7 is considered to be a lucky number and I heard that 3 is also considered to be a good number in Buddhism so it’s super lucky!
There is an article from Untapped Kumamoto that introduced this 3333 stone steps and its history and unknown stories.
This stone steps are not just an activity but this is a path to the main hall of Shakain Temple up to the mountain.
The length of the steps is about 2km and the hight from the bottom to the top is 620m.
Check the article below and if you want to get good luck, try this 3333 stone steps this year!!
- Chieko
#日本一の石段
#3333石段
#美里町
#3333stonesteps
#Misatotown
#Kumamoto
https://untappedkumamoto.com/activities/1515

There are two scary things about this article.
1. The Ikata nuclear plant (not all that far away from Kumamoto) will come back on line
2. One point of contention was whether an eruption of Mt. Aso could damage the reactor. If Mt. Aso might blow up in a way that could damage a reactor way off in Shikoku, what would that do to those of us here in Kumamoto?
-- Kirk
High Court drops injunction against Ikata nuclear plant : The Asahi Shimbun
HIROSHIMA--The Hiroshima High Court has revoked an injunction against the Ikata nuclear power plant

Joe shared a Japanese-language link with us about this news. Here's an English article.
As I wrote in response to Joe's post, lack of a unified approach to bus service has been an interest of mine for a number of years. In particular, I've been hoping that it would become possible to use Google maps to figure out how to get around town by bus. This can be done in most cities around the world but not in Kumamoto. I hope this joint venture fixes this problem.
https://www.facebook.com/.../a.12949973.../1378028532270575/
https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021031900784/
Japan OKs Joint Service by 5 Kumamoto Bus Firms
Tokyo, March 19 (Jiji Press)--Japan's transport ministry gave approval for joint operations to five bus compan…

Revamping of Kumamoto Station has been completed, expanding the public use area by 1.7 times. Aside from an expanded shopping area and an outdoor public performance space, renovations include two fountains and 15 species of plants to emphasize two of Kumamoto's three themes, water and greenery (fire was snubbed).
Kasuga, where the station is located, has long been an ignored part of our city, perhaps as it is in a nook created by Hanaokayama, long a burial ground. Its completion opens way for further rejuvenation of Shinmachi through to the castle. I recommend a walk from the castle along Tsuboi River to the station to see a little-visited side of Kumamoto and its potential. - William

I thought it was interesting that the first I heard of this local artist was from the New York Times. -- Kirk
In Japan, His Disaster Art Saves Lives
The fight to survive lies at the heart of Kyohei Sakaguchi’s world, whether he is writing self-help books, painting, creating a suicide help line, or designing recycled housing.

Good news from Mr. Yagi at the International Center for fans of Vietnamese cuisine. -- Kirk

Here's something from researchers at Kumamoto University. It describes the last days of wine consumption in Kumamoto before the drink was abandoned in the 17th century. If it hadn't been for the persecution of Christians and Christianity, perhaps Kumamoto would have a tradition of wine production to complement the other local delicacies that it's known for today.
-- Kirk
Research finds Japanese winemaking was halted by Christian persecution
A recently discovered document has shed light on the history of winemaking in Japan and it's close connection to Christian persecution.

Here's an RKK news segment about the approaching opening of Costco:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r3kq31VvjM&t=4s
It's planned for April 1st -- no joke.
There's a brief interview in English with the head of Costco Japan, who seems to be an American.
-- Kirk
P.S. They were celebrating the opening of the roads leading to the facility.