Archive of the Kumamoto International Facebook group, 2011–present.
Here's and interesting post from "Untapped Kumamoto." If you're unfamiliar with this informative page, please check it out. -- Kirk
https://www.facebook.com/untappedkumamoto/posts/2214803265316676
Kirk here. A while ago I posted about MINAMATA, the Johnny Depp movie about Eugene Smith. I don't have anything new to report about the movie but I'd share this article about Smith. It think it's pretty good for the most part but I noticed one problem:
"However, the disease was first discovered in 1956, after the Chisso Corporation conducted their own test and found a severe amount of heavy metals (mostly mercury) in local water bodies. "
As far as I can tell, everything after the date, 1956, in the above sentence is wrong. Here's a much better summary of what happened in 1956 from the Wikipedia page:
"On 21 April 1956, a five-year-old girl was examined at Chisso's factory hospital in Minamata. The physicians were puzzled by her symptoms: difficulty walking, difficulty speaking, and convulsions. Two days later, her younger sister also began to exhibit the same symptoms and she, too, was hospitalised. The girls' mother informed doctors that her neighbour's daughter was also experiencing similar problems. After a house-to-house investigation, eight further patients were discovered and hospitalised. On 1 May, the hospital director reported to the local public health office the discovery of an 'epidemic of an unknown disease of the central nervous system', marking the official discovery of Minamata disease."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamata_disease
So, the "discovery" was the first official report about there being some kind of health issue. It's true that Chisso did its own testing and the hid the results, but that came a good deal later.
Other than that, the article is fine, as far as I can tell.
Is Minamata Based on a True Story? Was W. Eugene Smith a Real Photographer?
Directed by Andrew Levitas, ‘Minamata’ focuses on photojournalist W. Eugene Smith’s (Johnny Depp) coverage of the effects of mercury poisoning in the village of Minamata in Kumamoto, Japan. The film pits him against a major corporation whose business practices leads to severe health hazards in...
Hi friends.
If you are Kumamoto residents, you might know 水前寺公園 Suizenzi park also has lots beautiful plum trees. Yes, it's the beautiful season to visit there.
If you visit there on this Saturday evening, you can enjoy the beautiful plum blossoms and beautiful lightning.It will be held till 8pm.
The people who wear kimono don't need to pay the entrance fee in February but unfortunately you should wear mask too.
Hoping you enjoy the beautiful spring colors and spring light both ーAtsuko(*ˊ˘ˋ*)♡
https://matsuri-no-hi.com/matsuri/33634
http://www.suizenji.or.jp/
MINIATURE LIFE EXHIBITION 2 Tatsuya Tanaka Main Works
Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto, Gallery I,II
Dates January 29(Fri)－March 14(Sun), 2021
https://www.camk.jp/english/
I saw something about this on TV. Looks interesting. -- Kirk
Congratulations to local author, Seán Michael Wilson! -- Kirk
Kirk here. Here's something from KUMAMON about an exhibition that is in progress and ends of on March 7th.
Joe Tomei here, this from the Mainichi about foreign eligibility for vaccinations
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210212/p2a/00m/0na/046000c
This looks a bit tricky for non-Japanese speaking residents so as it comes closer, I hope we can give more details.
FAQ: How foreign residents can get coronavirus vaccinations in Japan - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- With reports that coronavirus vaccinations will begin in Japan during the week commencing Feb. 15, The Mainichi answers some common questions
Kirk here. First, financially, Kumamon rocks!
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210209/p2a/00m/0bu/020000c
Second, here's something about an online event (not my thing but . . .)
Even with COVID-19, Kumamoto Prefecture would like to thank everyone online - KUMAMON 2021
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/even-covid-19-kumamoto-prefecture-020000570.html
Sales of Japan mascot Kumamon's goods reach record high of $1.62 billion - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- Sales of products bearing illustrations of this southwestern Japan prefecture's mascot character Kumamon reached a record high of 169.8 bi
Noyaki (the burning of the fields) in Aso is usually done with good control but sometimes there are accidents. In the past, people have become trapped in the flames and lost their lives. Today, the flames spread to nearby forests. According to the video report at the following link, it took a couple of hours (helicopter deployment, etc.) to get the fire under control.
https://rkk.jp/news/index.php?id=NS003202102231811180111
Click on the following link to see previous posts about the noyaki practice and how this ancient practice is what gives the Aso area its distinctive appearance.
https://www.facebook.com/page/123734781033296/search/?q=noyaki
-- Kirk
Kirk here. The history of the controversy surrounding the Kawabegawa dam goes back decades. It's something we've discussed on the page many times in past years. I won't try to review the history but I'll add a few links to the bottom of this article for those who might be interested.
https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2020111900164/
Scrapped dam may have limited flood damage from Kumamoto rains
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/08/26/national/kuma-river-dam-flood-damage-kumamoto/
Some previous Kumamoto International posts that include the word "Kawabegawa":
https://www.facebook.com/page/123734781033296/search?q=kawabegawa
English summary of governor's statement from in which he said that "we should withdraw the existing plan for the Kawabe-Gawa dam, and should pursue other flood control measures which do not require the construction of a dam" (that is, the opposite of his most recent decision):
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/uploaded/attachment/17697.pdf
The last pdf is not dated, as it should be. I can't recall offhand the date of the decision but it's been about a decade now, I think. Until today, I wasn't not aware of the existence of such an English summary. I think it's an interesting historical document in view of recent events.
Kumamoto Governor Supports Dam Construction
Kumamoto, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima said Thursday that he supports the constructi…
I'd read long ago how some animals in the midst of evolutionary arms race evolve themselves into extinction by adding unaffordable flairs or just getting too big. A visit to the Kumamon corner at a Kumamoto Station shop reminded me of that. Someday, this madness has gotta stop. - William
Kirk here. I've read in Japanese that MINAMATA, with Johnny Depp, will be shown in theaters in Japan beginning this year, but I haven't been able to find an exact schedule. Apparently, it's not available on line yet either. I'll try to keep you posted but if you happen to know something that I don't, please share your information in a comment. Thanks!
This week's new movies includes Johnny Depp film 'Minimata'
Minamata American International Pictures Director: Andrew Levitas Writers: David Kessler, Andrew Levitas Producers: Johnny Depp, Bill Johnson, Gabrielle Tana, et. ...
Two evening news programs I saw said that Kumamoto didn't have any new cases of COVID-19 today. The image is from the StopCovid19 site and the results are indicated to be for the 20th (yesterday). So, the same site should say "0" tomorrow. One of the programs I saw said that it has been exactly one year now since the first case was found in Kumamoto and about five months since we've had a day like today without a single new patient. -- Kirk
https://kumamoto.stopcovid19.jp
Hi! This is my third attempt to post about discounts on train tickets. I'd also like to write a little about the vagaries of Facebook algorithms. First, in regard to the train tickets, according to an article I found, you can save "nearly ¥18,000 on your travels in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki and other prefectures on Kyushu island." I'm not going to post the link to the article here because I suspect that the Facebook algorithm may not "like" it. As you can see in the attached image, my previous post (and the attempt before that) got less the 10 sets of eyeballs -- about one fiftieth the norm. Ah, the wonder of artificial intelligence! -- Kirk (my stupidity is 100% natural)
Hi! I posted this about 12 hours ago and Facebook says that only 8 people have seen it. The Facebook algorithm must have thought I was advocating terrorism or something and designated it "show to almost no one." Not sure if this will work but I thought I'd try again. The article is about big discounts for residents of Japan on train tickets. -- Kirk
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/4949810375092355
Foreign residents are now eligible for discounted JR Kyushu passes
Save nearly ¥18,000 on your travels in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki and other prefectures on Kyushu island
Kirk here with some travel news for residents of Japan. Personally, I wonder if it is really a good idea to be promoting travel when the pandemic isn't fully under control. This reminds me of the "Go To" program that, in my view, played a big role in causing the spike we are just recovering from. But, if you're going to travel, you may as well take advantage of the discount.
Foreign residents are now eligible for discounted JR Kyushu passes
Save nearly ¥18,000 on your travels in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki and other prefectures on Kyushu island
Hi friends.
These are another recommended plum groves at Kumamoto west area by Nishi Ward Office official FB page.
松尾西の梅 Plum tree at Matsuonishi is located at 小田部san's house. He opens his garden to enjoy the beautiful plum season.
It's near to Matsuonishi elementary school so you can park your car there.
https://kumanichi.com/news/id113871
https://www.google.co.jp/maps/@32.79795421344692,130.61757889773526,14z
谷尾崎梅林公園 Taniozaki Bairin park
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/spots/detail/48
百梅園 Hyakubaien is close to 石神山公園Ishigamiyama park.
https://cxc-kumamoto.com/2018/03/18/parkhunt-380/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/N3QptSZhWcChJs7K8
Hoping hard cold days has gone!
Enjoy early beautiful Kumamoto, you too.ーAtsuko╰(*´︶`*)╯
This photo has also been published on an English page with the following heading:
A 345-meter-long bridge in Minamiaso, now under construction to replace one that collapsed in strong earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto in 2016, is lit in red, green, white and blue on Feb. 13, 2021, ahead of its March 7 opening. (Kyodo)
The English heading was here:
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/02/8790236c6bce-japan-and-beyond-week-in-photos---february-1319.html
Japanese is here:
https://news.infoseek.co.jp/photo/kyodo_kd-newspack-2021021301001685/
-- Kirk
熊本の復興願いライトアップ 3月開通の新阿蘇大橋 - 拡大写真｜Infoseekニュース
2016年の熊本地震で崩落した阿蘇大橋に代わり、約600メートル南側で工事中の新阿蘇大橋（熊本県南阿蘇村）が、3月【拡大写真】
Good news for those who like to shop big: the Mifune Costco is set to open on April 1 - unless they are trying to fool us. Japanese news at the link. - William
コストコ御船、４月１日開業 ガソリンスタンドは２７日先行オープン | 熊本日日新聞社
熊本県御船町で建設が進む会員制大型スーパー「コストコホールセール熊本御船倉庫店」が４月１日に開業することが分かった。コストコホールセールジャパン（川崎市）が１８日までに同町に説明。併設する会員向けガ...
