Kumamoto International Archive

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

A note from the Kumamoto International Sneezing Desk (our sleeves are wet): Here is a video describing aerosol spread of sneezes with no protection, using a sleeve, and using a mask. It is oddly interesting. - William
Coronavirus (Covid19) Simulation of sneeze using Cradle scFLOW.
Coronavirus (Covid19) - see the impact of a sneeze with no protection, with an elbow, and with a mask and how germs could potentially spread without the prop...

Report from Amakusa: as yet, there are no reported cases of the virus in Amakusa. Here, the mostly elderly population are doing their best to cope with the current situation, but to me, I feel that many people are just living in a fantasy world where they imagine that everything will be okay. As a foreigner living here with my husband, with most of our support network overseas, it has been terrifying. I imagine that we are often seen as somewhat curious but quite paranoid freaks annoyingly interfeering with the otherwise peaceful and mostly harmonious society.
I sure hope for all of our sakes, that we are wrong, and that Japan, Kumamoto and the small rural areas with their largely elderly populations and woefully under-equipped hospitals are indeed cloaked in some kind of mysterious protective shell akin to an anime movie. Time will tell.
This article is the first article that I have read that I think reflects what I imagine is going on in the cities. Worth the read if you have the time.
Wasn't yesterday a fantastically beautiful day? This is my favorite season in Amakusa with the new green leaves coming out, making the landscape look like a magic carpet. I love this amazing island!
Stay safe, try to make conscious efforts to live a healthy lifestyle and please everyone, try to be kind to others.
-Leanne- Canadian living in Amakusa
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/19/world/asia/tokyo-japan-coronavirus.html?
Tokyo, in a State of Emergency, Yet Still Having Drinks at a Bar
Tokyo may have been lulled into complacency during the weeks when Japan contained the coronavirus while avoiding economically devastating lockdowns, our bureau chief writes.

Good morning, everyone!
In addition to my previous a bit informal post about dancing exercise, I (Masaki writing) found that a local NPO has been promoting their original exercise called "Maimai Undo" (Maimai Exercise; Not sure what Maimai means).
Link: http://a-life-npo.com/news/221.htm
This NPO, named A-Life Nankan, is based in Nankan-machi, Tamana-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture. According to their website, they are promoting health through sports, exercise, etc. in collaboration with Nankan-machi. The "A" in A-Life means "Anytime," "Anywhere," and "Anyone" so they are trying to promote healthy life through exercises that anyone can do anywhere at anytime.
Since this self-quarantine period is going to continue for a while, many of us may (probably already) have a lack of exercise these days and in coming days.
A-Life Nankan has been promoting their original exercise "Maimai Exercise" through a leaflet and a YouTube video.
Leaflet (Please click the image at the bottom-right corner): http://a-life-npo.com/news/221.htm
YouTube (the exercise starts from about 30 seconds): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H3_zYHns9Y&feature=youtu.be
I feel a bit sorry that the leaflet has a bit low resolution, but you can watch the video (though explanations are all in Japanese, you can follow what the instructor does) and hopefully remain in shape. :) It is a good exercise particularly because it also includes some stretching. We all tend to forget to stretch our body, don't we?
Stay safe and keep in shape, friends!

Being tossed from the perch is difficult. Former president Carter became a carpenter; Bush became an artist. Michelle Obama is becoming a story teller. Every Monday, she will read a child's book. For those interested in learning English, this would be useful. - William
Mondays with Michelle Obama | Read-Along | PBS KIDS
Join us for “Mondays with Michelle Obama!” As part of the PBS KIDS Read-Along series, Michelle Obama will read four of her favorite children’s books (one boo...

Joe Tomei here. This is an English translation of the Japanese information located at https://note.stopcovid19.jp/n/nbc8e2ce3ba07
Q&A (Pathogenicity and vaccination)
We are doing this in order to pass on the information that is coming out in Japanese. While the translations are done to the best of our ability, please be aware that we take no responsibility for any issues that may arise based on actions taken on account of these translations. We are doing this in English, but would welcome help not only for that, but also for translations in other languages. Contact me off list if you can help.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Li2Deo8Aop4RUgeW9GAUFxZ_sPiFEMUM_dj6gM6eL0k/edit?usp=sharing

Joe Tomei here with an update from the JET advisors, Bilal Khan & Lily McDermott
=====
Hello Kumamoto,
Here are some more updates:
●New cases in Kumamoto
Seven new cases in Kumamoto have been confirmed since our last update on 16 April. The number of confirmed cases in Kumamoto is now 40.
34th case (April 17) - Male in his 30s from Sapporo
35th case (April 17) - Female in her 20s, Kumamoto City - Unknown infection route
36th case (April 18) - Female in her 40s, Kumamoto City - Nurse, treated the 25th case on April 11
37th case (April 18) - Male in his 70s, Kumamoto City - Unknown infection route
38th case (April 19) - Female in her 70s, Kumamoto City - Related to the 37th case
39th case (April 19) - Male in his 40s, Kumamoto City - Self-employed, has not gone to work since April 1
40th case (April 19) - Female in her 30s, Kumamoto City - Nurse, co-worker of the 36th case
You can find the above information summarised in English on the Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents website here: http://www.kuma-koku.jp/support-center/page156.html
Two of the recent cases are in connection with the Kumamoto Regional Medical Center (熊本地域医療センター, Kumamoto Chiiki Iryō Sentā). Further investigation and testing is ongoing, and the hospital has halted taking on any new patients and emergency outpatients for the time being. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200419/k10012395791000.html, https://this.kiji.is/624741614354596961
Masaki Koreishi, a Japanese-English translator in Kumamoto, translated the NHK article about this which you can read on the Kumamoto International Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/3616730525067020
●News about possible implementation of drive-through testing in Kumamoto
The Amakusa Health Centre has announced it will introduce drive-through testing, in case it becomes necessary to test large volumes of people.
Kumamoto Prefecture as a whole is also looking into the possibility of collecting test samples at drive-throughs method and conducting PCR tests on the spot at the 35 Returnee/Virus Contact Consultation Centres across the prefecture.
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20200417-00000004-rkkv-l43
●Kumamoto Indoor Exercise Video
With more and more time being spent at home, it is easy to fall into a sedentary routine. The prefectural government has released a video featuring five Kumamoto-themed exercises developed in collaboration with Kinki University Associate Professor Michiya Tanimoto. Why not try out some squats like you are getting into a bath at Yamaga Onsen, do table-push ups like a kijiuma from Hitoyoshi, leg-raise like an Amakusa kuruma-ebi, manual row like Kato Kiyomasa, and do some Daikanbo lunges? Relieve some stress and get some exercise by following along with Professor Tanimoto and Kumamon using the video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwBY7rpNOwA
Information about COVID-19 in Kumamoto / 熊本県外国人サポートセンター / 熊本県国際協会
Information about COVID-19 in Kumamoto 最終更新日：2020年4月20日 ↓If you experience any of the following symptoms, please do not leave your home and phone your local health center ◆A temperature of 37.5℃ or above that lasts for 4 days or more※（If you are older than 60, pregnan...

As a child, my daughter had asthma, which I learned can quickly become life-threatening if not addressed immediately. I thus became familiar with the midnight drive to the Kumamoto Regional Health Center (熊本地域医療センター), which accepts any type of patient 24/7, year round.
As another sign of the apocalypse, two nurses there were found to have contracted coronavirus. The hospital has responded by halting both outpatient and inpatient services for an indeterminate period. This is not good: it is precisely the elderly and infants who need this facility, particularly during these times. There was no mention of when it will reopen; one hopes they will quickly put new protocols in place and reopen soon. - William
受け入れ停止、広がる不安　熊本地域医療センター、看護師２人新型コロナ感染｜熊本日日新聞
看護師の新型コロナウイルス感染が確認された熊本市中央区の熊本地域医療センターは、救急外来と新規入院患...

Joe Tomei here. This is an English translation of the Japanese information located at https://note.stopcovid19.jp/n/n9f9f0ce1c573
What May Happen in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
We are doing this in order to pass on the information that is coming out in Japanese. While the translations are done to the best of our ability, please be aware that we take no responsibility for any issues that may arise based on actions taken on account of these translations. We are doing this in English, but would welcome help not only for that, but also for translations in other languages. Contact me off list if you can help.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z5P2KrYRj06zrQ0y0FopBmNwLIxnEvsO0BNOqkLv2eY/edit?usp=sharing
What May Happen in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
もしかしたら集中治療の現場でおこるかもしれないこと What May Happen in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Public Advisory Group of Experts on COVID-19 11 April 2020 18:20 If you get COVID-19, pneumonia symptoms may quickly worsen in a few days. Younger people are no exception. It ...

Joe Tomei here. This is an English translation of the Japanese information located at
https://note.stopcovid19.jp/n/ncf680f3ea3f2
Be prepared for COVID-19 = #感染時に備えよう
What to do when you feel unwell
We are doing this in order to pass on the information that is coming out in Japanese. While the translations are done to the best of our ability, please be aware that we take no responsibility for any issues that may arise based on actions taken on account of these translations. We are doing this in English, but would welcome help not only for that, but also for translations in other languages. Contact me off list if you can https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uTCSaU8RbJ8vB-yg3pFqSraMp7xxEsA0xUnCiiqlTzM/edit
Be prepared for COVID-19
＃感染時に備えよう体調が悪いときにすること｜新型コロナウイルス感染症に関する専門家有志の会 Original article published on 8 April 2020 Be prepared for COVID-19 = #感染時に備えよう What to do when you feel unwell What to do when you feel unwell In ...

Hi again.
This is Kumamoto local Happy news.
Local movie and documentary start to be released from 10am today.
Both movie were taken as the story of the 新町Shinmachi residents, by the 新町 residents, for the Kumamoto, world citizen, maybe, I think😉
I've met the director Takuma Matsuda at Shotyu bar, Glocal BAR Vibes.
My International friends joined this movie during their stay in KUMADAI students.
I would like to say Congrats for their success and share many friends as Happy newsーAtsuko(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
4月19日 10:00AM(日本時間)
🔻こちらのリンクで公開します🔻
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Members comments.
19日10:00AM、我が映画が公開されます！
Sunday, the 19th at 10:00am (Japan time)!
Our films that were shot in Kumamoto 2018 will be released on Vimeo On Demand!
Look at this heartwarming trailer made by our lovely director Takuma Matsuda! Doesn't it make you want to watch the films? :)
We are happy to be able to come this long way to finally release our films, especially under this pandemic era. It certainly feels like a miracle to deliver films to the public. Thank you for those who have been supporting us all the way through!
いよいよ、この新鳥町どっこいしょフィルムプロジェクトの映画２本が公開されます！
2018年からのあっという間でもあり長い旅路でもありましたが、今のパンデミックの時代に、こうやって公開までに辿り着けることは奇跡としか言いようがありません。今まで支えて下さった皆様、関係者のみなさま本当にありがとうございます。
町おこしとしての映画製作に、初めての日本でのプロデューサーという役割の元、参加させて頂きました。若手でありアーティスティックな感性を持つ松田拓真監督と、周りの方々にサポートして頂き日々模索しながら完成した作品です。
忌憚なきご感想、ぜひお寄せ下さいませ。
4月19日(日)10:00AM (JAPAN TIME) ON DEMAND!!
◼️短編映画「少年の夢」
(a short fantasy, DREAM OF A BOY)
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dreamofaboy
◼️短編ドキュメンタリー「飛べ、新鳥町」
(a short documentary, NEIGHBORHOOD)
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/neighborhood
◼️２本セット「少年の夢」＆「飛べ、新鳥町」
　　Combo of DREAM OF A BOY & NEIGHBORHOOD
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dokkoisho

Joe Tomei here. This is an English translation of the Japanese information located at https://note.stopcovid19.jp/n/n829d79220a18
What will / won’t change with the state of emergency declaration (Updated on 16 April)
We are doing this in order to pass on the information that is coming out in Japanese. While the translations are done to the best of our ability, please be aware that we take no responsibility for any issues that may arise based on actions taken on account of these translations. We are doing this in English, but would welcome help not only for that, but also for translations in other languages. Contact me off list if you can help.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dnT0S1PDiH-lxRZf7rJ_Pwj33_4nNzScXJAkN3wQjyw/edit?usp=sharing
What will / won't change with the state of emergency declaration (English)
To Everyone in All Areas in Japan: What will / won’t change with the state of emergency declaration (Updated on 16 April) Public Advisory Group of Experts on the Novel Coronavirus Infectious Disease (COVID-19) 23:12, April. 16, 2020 From the Public Advisory Group of Experts: Today, the Prime ...

The streets are so quiet that I let my dog out even in the daytime (he comes back eventually - usually; the police know him quite well). Kumanichi wrote about the shuttered Kamitori and Shimotori arcades. Below is a Google translation (I like that single word: lament).
An emergency declaration was issued nationwide to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection, and on the 18th, the first weekend, even in Kumamoto prefecture, the resorts and shopping districts of various places were quiet due to the refraining from going out. In the downtown area of Kumamoto City, the number of shops that are closed or closed is increasing, and shoppers wearing masks are walking quickly.
Ite Shimodori arcade with less crowds than usual weekends. Takashi Chisato, managing director of Takasugi Watch Jewelery Store (42), who has a store, said, "The number of pedestrians has decreased from March, and it has decreased dramatically in April. Today is 70 to 80% less than usual weekends." Lament. A 20-year-old male student in Higashi-ku, said that he had come to buy contact lenses.
 Even in the Utsudori arcade, there are noticeable stores that post notices that business hours will be shortened or temporary holidays will be taken. A woman (34) from Otsu, who works at a clothes store, bought a takeaway coffee, saying, "Because of the time difference, I had to work from noon today."
- William

Hi friends.
It's nice everyone seem to stay at their house on Sunday morning. I should have taken my daughter to KUMADAI domi by car this morning. On the way to there, I COULD NOT SEE lots cars, students, people on the street. It's so nice.
By the way, it's really serious problem, 地域医療センター Chiiki Iryo center should close because they have COVID-19 patients. They got a patient and a nurse having taken care the patient also got COVID.
It's so serious news because of worry about COVID spread.
And to make matters worse, the hospital is the most famous and large hospital to accept emergency patients, like 日赤病院 Nisseki hospital in Kumamoto. I had many experiences to have taken my kids when they got fever in midnight. Many Kumamoto parents might have same experiences.
地域医療センター will close for a while. It depends on how many, how spread the patients.
It's so serious for not only COVID patients but also all residents.
If you have any doubt to have COVID-19, Please call telephone consultation and tell your conditions to medical staff beforehand your going to hospital, before you meet medical staff.
Addition, if you go to hospital, you should pay attention not to get Corona virus.
Stay home and
Not to get any other illness.🙏ーAtsuko(Ü)

Joe Tomei here. NanKyu JALT is having an online meeting on 25 April, information for joining is below!

Joe Tomei here. A number of people here have enough Japanese to be able to use this site
https://note.stopcovid19.jp/
which is information from a group of Japan based experts. There is a small group that is making unofficial translations of some of the key pages in order to get this information out. These will be _unofficial_, but will hopefully provide information in a timely fashion.
政府対策本部の専門家会議や厚労省クラスター対策班等の関係者で組織された専門家の有志の会です。全世代のみなさまに拡散してほしいメッセージをお知らせしています。一人でも多くの方に私たちのメッセージが伝わり...

Good morning friends.
It's so nice news, all of residents can get 100,000yen each person.
The residents means the Person registered in Basic Resident Register in Japan.
Yes, of course, we are all Japanese citizen!!
International workers, part time workers also.
International students, and kids, wife, husband also.
Addition, it seems you don't need to visit city office.
We might have to apply online or mail, postal items.
Never go to crowded city office.
Anyways, It's nice news ーAtsuko(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
https://www.facebook.com/617243799/posts/10157785299018800/?sfnsn=mo
Please read it whole till details.
I just hope all of your safe and healthy.

Please copy above page and paste, put in google translate page.
I tried to attach here but couldn't.
http://itools.com/tool/google-translate-web-page-translator?fbclid=IwAR1Hymlv_vNsAXvh-uRIh0SnyYreH0oTUX837TPns5MVAfSHaSNHYC03PH0
10万円給付は「外国人も対象に含める方向」住民基本台帳に登録あれば国籍は関係なし総務省が明らかに（ハフポスト日本版） - Yahoo!ニュース
政府が新型コロナウイルスに対する緊急経済対策として実施する方針の「国民1人あたり10万円の給付」について、所管する総務省の担当者は「住民基本台帳に登録されていれば、国籍に関わらず給付の対象とする方向 - Yahoo!...

Disneyland was my former employer. We didn't close for anything, except briefly after 9/11. But Disneyland is currently shut down for an indeterminate period of time.
Kumamoto's flagship department store, Tsuruya, is similar: they never close. However, now they have, again for an indeterminate period of time, along with their associated facilities such as Wing Kan. My wife is devastated. - William
＜速報＞熊本市の鶴屋百貨店が臨時休業　従業員に新型コロナ感染疑い｜熊本日日新聞
鶴屋百貨店（熊本市）は１８日、同社ホームページで、従業員１人が新型コロナウイルスに感染している疑いが...

Joe Tomei here with another update from the JET Advisors Bilal Khan & Lily McDermott. While they are writing to the JET participants, the advice they give is certainly something that can be taken generally.
================
Hello Kumamoto,
Yesterday, the Prime Minister extended the State of Emergency originally declared for 7 prefectures to include all 47 prefectures of Japan. This means the special emergency powers (e.g., to ask businesses to close, or to appropriate property/supplies for medical use) are now available to the Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture should he choose to exercise them, until at least 6 May. Below we are summarising the main points of the Prime Minister's address when making the declaration, and the response of the Governor of Kumamoto.
Prime Minister's Announcement
In his address, the Prime Minister implored the public to continue their efforts to reduce interactions with others by at least 70% and preferably 80%. He went on to ask governors to strongly urge their residents against non-urgent and non-essential travel across prefectural boundaries.
We ask JETs to be aware of this, and to act sensibly and cautiously, especially as we approach the Golden Week holiday. This is a tough time, one where we are restricted and cannot do the things we had been looking forward to. It is a time for us to slow down in order to quicken the pace this pandemic will come to an end, if even just a day earlier. Please stay close to home this Golden Week.
NHK World News Article in English here: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200417_01/
Kumamoto's Response
Yesterday afternoon, in anticipation of the announcement concerning the nationwide state of emergency, Governor Kabashima explained that the declaration will have positive and negative effects. He said that the prefecture should strive to maximise the positive effects, increasing people's sense of urgency of the need to combat the spread of the virus, while mitigating the expected negative impact on the economy as much as possible. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kumamoto/20200416/5000008021.html
After the declaration was made, Governor Kabashima requested the following things of the people of Kumamoto prefecture:
1. Retail stores will operate as usual, so please remain calm and refrain from rushing to buy up daily necessities in bulk.
2. Do not make trips to and from areas where infection is spreading, especially during Golden Week.
3. Avoid the 3 Cs (i.e. closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places with many people nearby, and close-contact settings such as close-range conversations). Avoid unnecessary and non-urgent outings, going out to the city centre, and especially going out to restaurants with wait staff. Working from home should be implemented wherever possible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QyJcIaFiKg, https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kumamoto/20200416/5000008021.html
In a further address given this morning, the governor said that he is not yet planning to request business closures. He believes that any business closures should coincide with financial support for those businesses, and will ask for the close cooperation and support of the national government alongside the governors of other prefectures.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to permit drive-through testing
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has released a notice to all local governments in Japan saying that is now permissible to conduct "drive-through testing" as has been implemented in countries such as South Korea if it is deemed necessary. The government plans to increase the daily test capacity from 13,000 tests per day to 20,000. https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/601276/
Japan's state of emergency extended nationwide | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
The Japanese government has expanded the state of emergency for the coronavirus outbreak to the entire country. The measure will remain in effect through May 6.

My wife and I often welcome lonesome elderly to our genkan for some food and conversation. What can be learned from them is often astounding. Today, an elderly gent taught me that the renkon (蓮根 - lotus root) was brought to Kumamoto hundreds of years ago to provide nutrition - sort of like potatoes to the Irish, as it can be grown on very marginal land - and that the Hosokawa Crest is based on this. While I can't account for its veracity, what the elderly can teach you, if you just listen, even if it's just a folk story, is amazing. - William
(Addendum: Wikipedia has a very different explanation of the origin, and the fact that Kiyomasa had adopted his crest prior to his transfer to Kumamoto throws a big shadow on my friend's story. Correlation is not causation - but it is still interesting.)

Hi friends.
It's my good friend @Charles Waterman's post.
Sorry I could not tag him because this page might be public page.
He shared main points about the emergency declaration, ThanksーAtsuko(｡•̀ᴗ-)و ̑̑✧
･･････････････････････････････････････････
From Kyodo News about the country-wide state of emergency:
"The emergency declaration, based on a revised law enacted last month, gives prefectural governors the power to take bolder preventive steps and allows them to call for school and business closures. There are no legal penalties for noncompliance."
and
"The nationwide state of emergency will not lead to hard lockdowns."
and
"Meanwhile, the transport ministry said Thursday that all passengers departing on domestic flights from Tokyo's Haneda airport will be required to have their temperatures checked before boarding as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus. The measures will apply to all flight routes starting from Friday through May 6, the last day of Japan's state of emergency. Thermal imaging cameras will be installed before the security gates in both of the airport's domestic terminals, with airline staff conducting the tests.
The move is an effort to address concerns that passengers traveling from Tokyo, which currently has the nation's highest number of coronavirus cases, may spread the virus to (other) regions."
From NPR:
"Abe added the goal is for Japanese residents to limit contact with others by up to 80%, Kyodo News reported."