Kumamoto International Archive

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

Rui Hachimura was drafted by the Washington Wizards in the first round of the NBA Draft recently. Hachimura is from Toyama, but his predecessor, the first Japanese player to be drafted by the NBA, is from Kumamoto. This article doesn't mention Yasutaka Okayama's roots in Kumamoto but it's noted on his Wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasutaka_Okayama
Note Okayama's height: 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m), which is very, very big, even for the NBA. In fact, Okayama was the tallest person ever to be drafted to play in the NBA:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_players_in_National_Basketball_Association_history
Hachimura is a mere 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) -- only an inch or two above the NBA average. ;)
https://www.nba.com/news/survey_height_2007.html
At 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), I would have been a relatively little guy in the NBA if I had had the talent to play there.
By the way, Hachimura speaks good English. I learned from a news report that this is not an accident of birth. When he decided at an early age that he wanted to aim for the NBA, he began studying English each night after basketball practice.
Congratulations to Rui Hachimura! I'm looking forward to following your career. :)
-- Kirk
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/06/21/basketball/nba/japan-basketball-pioneer-yasutaka-okayama-reflects-past-wishes-rui-hachimura-well/#.XQ2Z2y2B2lM
Japan basketball pioneer Yasutaka Okayama reflects on his past, wishes Rui Hachimura well | The Japan Times
Yasutaka Okayama was the first Japanese to ever be selected in the NBA Draft. But he humbly says that the impact made by Rui Hachimura is incomparably grea

Olivia here,
We had contribution web link from Taijin Matsunami,
documentaries’ videos archives about Kumamoto’s 2016 earthquake in English and other foreign languages.
https://www.kumamoto-archive.jp/en/post/58-99991jl0002xrj
—————
Original post below:

Hi! I received an inquiry about an English speaking divorce lawyer. For obvious reasons, my inquirer would prefer to remain anonymous. So, I'm posting on my inquirer's behalf. He/she would like to learn about divorce proceedings in Japan.
If any of you feel comfortable posting publicly with information about lawyers or other sources of information and expertise regarding the concerns of my inquirer, please post a comment to this post. Or, if you would like to help more discretely, please friend me, Kirk Masden, on Facebook and write me a message. I can either relay information anonymously or connect you to my inquirer. He/she would be particularly interested in getting information from someone here in Kumamoto who has been through a divorce and knows what options and rights foreigners have as they go through a divorce.
Thanks in advance!
-- Kirk

Tristan Vick here. Although not specifically related to Kumamoto, it’s something many of us with kids and families in Japan should be aware of—the problem of the disposable male and lack of maternity rights for single fathers.
In an interesting legal case regarding single father maternity leave in Japan involving a foreign national.

The company forced him to take a DNA test to prove the child born in Japan is even his, gave him unpaid leave, then fired him anyway. He’s suing.
『パタハラ』という言葉をご存知ですか？パタハラは、男性が育児休暇を取得することに対するハラスメントです。
グレン・ウッド氏が勤務先の三菱UFJモルガン・スタンレー証券から受けたパタハラは、日本国内だけでなく海外からも大きな注目を集めています。この一件で、子供を持つ従業員に対するハラスメントが浮き彫りとなりました。このような嫌がらせは許されるべきものではありませんが、全国的にも珍しいことではありません。
7月に行われる裁判では、ウッド氏と同社の5人が証言台に立ちます。ウッド氏が裁判所に要請した証人はおりません。証言台に立つことを拒まれたからです。
裁判は7月5日(金)に東京地方裁判所にて行われます。公開裁判ですので、ご興味をお持ちの方は是非傍聴をお願いいたします。参加登録は[email protected] に連絡するようにお願いします｡
On July 5th, 2019, Glen Wood will testify in court against Mitsubishi UFJ. He dares to push back on corporate injustice by claiming his right to paternity leave under Japanese law.　

Hi again.
Niigata prefecture had some big earthquakes and TSUNAMI.
You might little bit worry in case we have TSUNAMI warning.
Here is a hazard map about TSUNAMI around Kumamoto city.
Please check your house in it. The blue line shows the area of TSUNAMI warning area(my house includes!!)
I strongly recommend to talk and make a promise with your family ''where'' you will escape and gather when earthquake happens, TSUNAMI warning.
Please be safe and save you and your family by yourself.ーAtsuko(Ü)
This is hazard map of Kumamoto city,
https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=2121

Hi friends.
We can't go into Kumamoto castle for more than 3 years. It's so pity we can't see the Beautiful Kumamoto castle that used to be. But it's also special time to watch reconstructing it. It's only this age. You might know and feel lots things how they make, how it's made, even its historical methods and story.
Here is information of the special opportunity to see, no, to watch Kumamoto castle now.
Hoping you enjoy Kumamoto castle ナウーAtsuko(Ü)

There are only six weeks left to test your skills at Kumamoto's pop-up escape room. The latest game is INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SPIES. You and your team have just one hour to investigate a spy organisation and foil their evil plan. The game requires teamwork, speed and sharp thinking...but there are hints along the way if you get really stuck.
This game was made in Kumamoto by a local writer/teacher/escape room enthusiast and cannot be played anywhere else in the world!
It costs 1000 yen to play (500 yen for children and students) and is open all day on weekends as well as weekdays after 8pm. You'll need a team of 2-6 players, with at least one English speaker. You can find out more and make a reservation at Escape from Britz.
Fiona

Hi friends.
I've asked Kirk to post about Hiro Iwamoto before. He is the first man to sail across the large, Pacific ocean with blind. He is from Kumamoto. Here is his long interview about his life and his adventure.
It's so wonderful and inspired interview.
Please listen to his long interview below.
How tough he is!!
But he seems to enjoy his life so much.
I would like to share his great work in Kumamoto more.
県民栄誉賞でしょう!!!ーAtsuko(Ü)

Hi, Joe Tomei here. This announcement, for an international event in Minamata, just came thru. Please contact the email address listed below. Thx!
joe
2019 International Exchange Cafe in Minamata!
Hello, Kumamoto! This summer holidays, would you like to see some sights, have fun and meet people from all over the world? If so, I have the perfect event for you.
You are invited to the 2019 International Exchange Cafe in Minamata on Tuesday 6th August 2019, 10:30am-4pm.
What: 2019 International Exchange Cafe in Minamata
Time and date: Tuesday, 6th August, 2019 from 10:30am to 4:00pm
Place: Various locations around Minamata City (transport by bus)
Participants: Foreign residents living in Kumamoto, as well as Minamata High School and local junior high school students.
Program: Ice breaker, presentation by Minamata HS students, lunch and chatting, tour of Minamata’s famous spots (guided in English by Minamata HS students!)
Capacity: 40 (if there are more applications, participants will be selected by lottery)
Transportation: Please make your own way to Minamata City Hall (Temporary Building) by 9:30am.
Fee: 500 yen (includes light lunch, drinks and insurance)
Organised by: Minamata City (commissioned to the Minamata International Friendship Association (MIFA))
Application: Please complete the form attached and submit it by post, fax, or email.
Deadline: Tuesday 9th July, 2019 (The form must arrive by this date)
We hope you can attend!
Note: There will be a round trip charter bus from Kumamoto City to Minamata City available. From other locations, you will be responsible for your own transportation to Minamata.
Please direct questions and registration to Greg in the Minamata City Office
(Email: [email protected], Ph: 0966-61-1606)
国際交流カフェ　チラシ兼申込書　英訳.pdf

I mentioned these cute cubs there other day. Here's an article in English. There's also a video you can enjoy, if you are interested.
According to the article, we only have until August or so to see them here in Kumamoto before they will be taken to Oita.
-- Kirk
Triple treat: Lion cubs ready for public display at Kumamoto zoo - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- Three lion cubs born in May were shown to the media at Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens here in southwestern Japan on June 1

Here's an article about a marathon runner from Kumamoto.
-- Kirk
Japanese marathon runner, 83, still going strong after completing Boston race - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- Japanese runner Michiharu Shimojo completed his 12th Boston Marathon this year, and once again received the honor of being the oldest to fini

Olivia here,
I am sharing with you something that I have done before, and has been on my “have to do” list while I am in Kumamoto.
I love watching the fireflies in Ezuko.
Has anyone done it this year?
We almost reach mid June, and apparently, due to their short lifetime, fireflies in Ezuko will only be around until end of June (forgive me if I am wrong. The amount of fireflies you see might differ every year.)
Hopefully, if anyone has time to visit Ezuko soon, they will see fireflies there.
I learned from Ezuko’s website, few things to take note for “Fireflies Watching”
(in Japanese):
◎一般的にホタルをよく観察できるといわれている条件
・雨が降っておらず、風が弱い
・湿度が高く、気温が高い
・月明かりがない
(in English)
- When we have no rains for the day.
- When humidity and day temperature are high.
- When there is no moonlight.
In case you wanna read further , please refer to Ezuko’s website below:
http://www.ezuko-park.com/blog/21955
(The blog is written in Japanese.)

Here's an update on the "baby hatch" at Kumamoto's Jikei Hospital. This facility is unique in Japan. For more information see this editorial:
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170511/p2a/00m/0na/013000c
-- Kirk
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0005770006

I got this good lead from a friend a while back but am only getting around to posting now. If you are a jazz fan, like me, you may want to try to see it before it closes on Thursday. It has gotten very good reviews on IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5051930/?fbclid=IwAR2fmGku8iWKLbiAPxPR4kdaw9-pIfqs_trk0ANKXE0LQqdm_L6eHrayFLo
Show times are:
ビル・エヴァンス　タイム・リメンバード（上映時間：85分）
13：10（〜14：40）
18：40（〜20：10）
*6/13（木）終了
English with Japanese subtitles.
-- Kirk
http://evans.movie.onlyhearts.co.jp
映画『ビル・エヴァンス　タイム・リメンバード』公式サイト｜4/27（土）全国ロードショー
ジャズピアノの詩人ビル・エヴァンスの悲劇に満ちた51年の人生と音楽を捉えたドキュメンタリー映画が遂に日本上陸！エヴァンス生誕90周年記念GW4月27日（土）よりアップリンク吉祥寺・渋谷ほかにてロードショー！

Starting tomorrow (June 11th), you can visit these cute lion cubs at the Kumamoto Zoo.
I took the image from a movie you can view here:
https://www.jiji.com/jc/movie?p=j001355
It seems that these cubs were born as a result of the Kumamoto earthquake. Dad met Mom (pictured with cubs) when he was evacuated to another facility (Mom's home). They feel in love and then Mom was allowed to accompany Dad when he returned to Kumamoto where they are living happily ever after. Medetashi medetashi! Oshimai.
-- Kirk

Hey guys! Megan again with an Olympic torch update! Looks like Kumamon won’t be allowed to bear the torch for the city. Thoughts?
Kumamoto mascot Kumamon's chance of being Olympic torch runner in jeopardy
Organizing committee seems to have a problem with a huge clumsy bear running around with an open flame.

The camphor tree has the poetic Latin name, Cinnamomum camphora. Their canopies extend broadly, so they are vulnerable to wind damage and rot. Their wood is prized for its fragrance and also its tendency to ward off insects, so if you ever find chunks, take them home and stash them where household insects gather.
Our friends, the Marubayashis, sent us this photo of a particularly large specimin which is located in Ueki and is called the Jakushinsan no kusu (you can Google it). My daughter's elementary school also had a large camphor planted in Meiji 30, but it succumbed to age a few years agó. However, the arborists pointed out the robust root system, so it was fenced off and is shooting back up again. (Photo below). Thank you, Marubyashi-san. - William

Hey guys!! Megan here with a bus center update! They’ve confirmed 84 tenants for the bus center so far, including an H & M, Kaldi, Daiso and my personal favorite: Panda Express! I thought I’d share the good news. Here’s a link to the website: https://sakuramachi-kumamoto.jp
Looks like the grand opening is September 14th, so mark your calendars!
2019年9月 SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto-サクラマチクマモト-がOPEN
SAKURA MACHI Kumamotoの公式サイト。熊本城と庭つづき、すべてをつなぐ「おもてなしの庭」。ファッション・雑貨・コスメ・飲食など149店が集まる熊本の新しいライフスタイル発信地「サクラマチクマモト」が2019年9月誕生。

Kirk here. This post is not Kumamoto specific but, of course, as Kumamoto is part of Japan, the kinds of issues I'll try to point out are not unrelated to life in Kumamoto.
The English article I'm linking to is very misleading. I'm not posting to endorse it but rather to point out several problems with Kyodo's journalism and international journalism in general. So, instead of merely skipping my post and going straight to the article, I hope you'll read all of my post -- though it is rather long.
The source of the problem seems to be with Kyodo's Japanese article on what the labor minister said:
https://this.kiji.is/508926832349496417?c=39546741839462401
In this article Labor Minister Nemoto is quoted as follows:
「社会通念に照らして業務上必要かつ相当な範囲かと思います」
And, in English, this becomes
"It's generally accepted by society that (wearing high heels) is necessary and reasonable in workplaces"
One might quibble about whether the English is an accurate translation of the Japanese. I think it makes the English sound more declarative or stronger than the Japanese but that's not the main point. The main point is that the Japanese itself is inaccurate. It's not an exact quote -- merely Kyodo's summary of their interpretation of what he was saying.
The actual text can be found here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/entry/kutoo_jp_5cf79a66e4b0747b8c5efe26
and at
https://www.j-cast.com/2019/06/06359462.html
The Japanese Huffington Post article seems to give the actual word-for-word text of the questions posed to Nemoto and his responses but there are some obvious typos. I used the J-Cast article to double check what seemed to be Huff Post mistakes.
Initially, Nemoto seems to be expressing some sympathy for the position taken by the people who conducted the #KuToo survey. For example
「ハイヒールやパンプスの着用については、それぞれの業務の中で、それぞれの対応がなされてると思いますが、たとえば労働安全衛生の観点からは、腰痛や転倒事故に配慮して、服装や各事業上の対応が講じられるべきかと考えています。」
"In regard to the wearing of high heels and pumps, I think decisions are being made in individual workplaces in accordance with the nature of the work, but from the perspective of worker health and safety, I think due consideration should be given to the risk of falls and the exacerbation of lower-back pain." (Translation: Kirk Masden)
Nemoto's interrogator, Representative OTSUJI Kanako (尾辻かな子), was not satisfied with this rather oblique response and continued to press him to take a stronger position. In response to her question about the absurdity of the very idea that their might be a workplace where it would be appropriate to force employees to wear high heels, Nemoto responded as follows:
「ハイヒールやパンプスの着用を強制する、指示する、これはいろんなケースがあると思いますが、社会通念に照らして、業務上必要かどうかということ、これは社会慣習に関わるものではないかなと思います。だからそういう動向は注視しながら、働きやすい職場づくりを推進していきたいと思います」
"I think there may be a variety of cases in which employers require (demand) the wearing of high heels or pumps but I think that whether or not such footwear is necessary in a particular area of work depends on social norms. So, I'd like to pay close attention to social trends in this area and try to promote workplaces that are easy (for women) to work in." (Translation: Kirk Masden)
This last statement seems to be what became
「社会通念に照らして業務上必要かつ相当な範囲かと思います」
in Japanese and
"It's generally accepted by society that (wearing high heels) is necessary and reasonable in workplaces"
As you can see, the Japanese is not an exact quote of what was said, though it may be possible to argue that it paraphrases the gist of it. It's true that Nemoto refused to come out and make a blanket statement that no employer should ever be able to require female employees to wear high heels or pumps. So, in that sense, his statement can be taken as support for the status quo.
Things really went off the rails, however, when foreign media started rephrasing this. The Guardian presents the following summary:
"Japan’s health and labour minister has defended workplaces that require women to wear high heels to work, arguing it is 'necessary and appropriate' after a petition was filed against the practice."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/05/high-heels-at-work-are-necessary-says-japan-labour-minister
Nemoto's statement was a mealymouthed attempt to avoid a blanket condemnation
while still trying to seem supportive of the basic idea of avoiding practices that cause unnecessary hardships for female employees. He can be criticized for being evasive and for refusing to condemn current practices clearly but that's not quite the same thing as actively "arguing it is 'necessary and appropriate.'"
For me, the following J-Cast article has been quite helpful in understanding the media storm about this:
https://www.j-cast.com/2019/06/06359462.html
The J-Cast article says that Kyodo Tsushin first came out with the following headline:
「パンプス『業務で必要』と容認　厚労相発言、波紋呼びそう」
"Minister of Labor Says Pumps are 'Necessary for Work' -- Comment Likely to Draw Criticism" (Translation: Kirk Masden)
Later, however, on the 6th, they down-toned it as follows:
「パンプス着用、社会通念で　厚労相、容認とも取れる発言」
"Labor Minister Makes Statement that Appears to Condone Requiring Pumps Based on Social Mores" (Translation: Kirk Masden)
https://this.kiji.is/508926832349496417
So, Kyodo was forced to walk its characterization back a bit. I have no problem with this new headline. I would agree that he "appeared to condone," or at least "refused to rule out" some requirements to wear pumps, etc. Still, Kyodo has kept the inaccurate quote (described above) that is more of a paraphrase and misrepresents the strength of his statement.
Also, note that while Kyodo changed it's Japanese headline, presumedly as a result of backlash from people who knew what was actually said, they kept the more declarative English headline: "Labor minister opposes banning female dress codes with high heels". Perhaps they think a more nuanced headline would be lost on dull-witted foreigners who only understand "black" and "white" distinctions.
I'm interested in this issue for a number of reasons.
First of all, I think the issue itself is important. Perhaps it would be reasonable for a director to ask Meryl Streep to wear a particular brand of pumps to get the image of the character she played in "The Devil Wears Prada." So, OK, never say never. There may be some situations where requiring pumps might be necessary to the work at hand. But, of course, I think such justifiable situations are far, far fewer than the actually number of situations where women suffer various kinds of harassment related to their appearance. So, I'm definitely much more sympathetic to #KuToo's position on this one than I am to Nemoto's. [By the way, #KuToo is a play on #MeToo, 靴 (kutsu; shoes), and 苦痛（くつう; pain and suffering).]
Secondly, though I'm sympathetic to those who wish to express frustration with Nemoto, I dislike sloppy journalism and have been bothered by inaccurate use of quotation marks for years. This is by no means the first situation in which I have noticed that what we find between quotation marks is not an exact quote. In some situations such paraphrasing may be an acceptable liberty that journalists can take, but in situations like this, where the exact wording can have a significant impact on how problematic the statement is taken to be, I find it to be a downright offense practice.
Thirdly, I'm disappointed in English-language media outside of the U.S. They all seem to be following the lead of Kyodo's misleading characterization. In some cases, rephrasing of the type that the Guardian engaged in leads to an impression that's even farther from the original reality -- something like a telephone game in which repetition leads to incredible distortion. But this shouldn't be a telephone game. International news services (the Guardian, CNN, etc.) should be able to do the amount of checking that I did before writing up this little Facebook post. Moreover, the Guardian article (and probably most others, I haven't checked all of them) didn't even admit that they were relying on Kyodo -- a second hand source. The article has the appearance of original reporting and of having the full imprimatur of this globally recognized news service. If they had written, "according the Kyodo, . . ." they might be forgiven.
I'm reminded of something similar that happened in the 1990s. Prime Minister MIYAZAWA Kiichi was quoted as criticizing the work ethic of American's. What he actually said was very different:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-03-23-9201270045-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1ahp8CZ66egdwo5Iopt9Kby4cv1Xlm-9p0JRU3cwnKresbY5gCmp28XfI
If anyone has bothered to read this far, I'll be curious to hear what you think. Thanks for reading.
Labor minister opposes banning female dress codes with high heels
Labor minister indicates he will not support drive to ban dress codes that force women to wear high heels at work

Britz, a small language school situated in the east of Kumamoto city, is rumoured to be the front for an international spy ring. You and your team of covert operatives have one hour to investigate the scene and uncover the deadly plot.
Are you up to the challenge?
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SPIES🔎🕵🔒🤓🇰🇪🇮🇩🇦🇫🇷🇺
If you're interested in playing the only escape room in Kumamoto, get a team together and book your timeslot via the Escape from Britz Facebook page. The game will run until the end of July at Britz in Onoue (close to Kencho). It's open to everyone, but it's recommended to have at least one English speaker on the team. It costs 1000 yen to play (500 yen for children and students) and is available on Saturday and Sunday anytime, plus weeknights.
Thanks for all the interest and support so far!
Fiona