Kumamoto International Archive

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

A note from the Kumamoto International Mascot Desk (it's difficult to type in our costumes): Chiitan, a giant otter wearing a turtle as a hat, is the unofficial mascot of Susaki (須崎市), our neighbor to the northeast in Kouchi, Shikoku, whose official mascot is Shinjo-kun, also a giant otter but with an upturned ramen bowl on his head rather than a turtle. Both are modeled after Chiitan, an actual otter, who, being an actual otter, abides no headwear.
With that, one can read trouble brewing: "Rival otter mascots with unconventional head-wear do not good bed-mates make." (Shakespeare?)
Fortunately, British comedian John Oliver intervened, sending in his own mascot, Chiijohn. You must watch this to the end. - William
Chiitan: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
The Japanese city of Susaki cut ties with their unofficial otter mascot, Chiitan, leaving their official otter mascot, Shinjo-kun, all alone. So we came up w...

I don't mean to rain on the parade of the changing of the imperial guard, but, as this is a page about Kumamoto, I thought I'd describe the connection between the new Imperial Empress, Masako, and Minamata. Masako is the granddaughter of Yutaka Egashira (in the center of the photo) who was president of Chisso from 1964 to 1971 and then Chairman of the Board of Directors until May of 1973.
Mr. Egashira was not with the company when it began to dump lethal mercury in Minamata Bay. He had been called in to help put the company back on its feet after the pollution came to light:
"Yutaka Egashira, who while working for the Industrial Bank of Japan was assigned to take over management of one of its creditors the Chisso Corporation to prevent it from financial collapse."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masako,_Crown_Princess_of_Japan
Mr. Egashira did not start the discharge of mercury but it continued though the first four years of his administration. Chisso did not stop the production process that caused the pollution until 1968.
Then, at an infamous stockholder's meeting held in November of 1970, Mr. Egashira is credited with hiring yakuza (mobsters) to intimidate the Minamata disease patients and their supporters who had purchased single shares of stock in order to gain the right to attend the shareholders meeting.
"Chisso president later chairman Yutaka Egashira (Later maternal grandfather of Masako, Crown Princess of Japan) used yakuza in order to threaten and silence patients and their supporters."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisso
While Mr. Egashira was Chairman of the Board, Chisso hired thugs to brutally beat Eugene Smith for the crime of publicizing what Chisso had been up to:
"Chisso had American photographer and photo-journalist W. Eugene Smith beaten by yakuza goons after Smith published a highly regarded photo-essay showing the caustic injuries and birth defects Chisso had caused the Minamata population."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisso
"On July 7, 1972, during the course of a protest against the Chisso Corporation, a chemical company in Minamata that had been dumping industrial waste into the water, Mr. Smith was severely beaten by six men. As result of his injuries, he is now almost entirely blind."
https://www.nytimes.com/1974/04/09/archives/blinded-in-beating-photographer-still-presses-a-crusade-colleagues.html
I haven't seen any reference to Mr. Egashira having ordered Eugene Smith's beating, but given his previous hiring of thugs for the shareholder's meeting and his continued high station in the company, it seems likely that he knew about and approved the plan.
All of this is more-or-less common knowledge and so it was considered when the prospect of Masako becoming the Crown Princess through her marriage to Prince Naruhito came up.
"Egashira’s link to Chisso was initially considered a sticking point for Masako’s marriage to Naruhito, but top palace officials eventually approved it after concluding Egashira was sent to Chisso from a now-defunct Industrial Bank of Japan to reconstruct the financially strapped chemical firm in the 1960s. They said Egashira was not responsible for the pollution scandal."
https://www.denverpost.com/2006/09/25/obituaries-in-the-news-14/
True, he didn't start the pollution and it was under his administration that the pollution finally ended. OK. But, as I've just described, there were a few other things that happened under his administration as well.
-- Kirk (Curmudgeon in Chief)
P.S. I don't have anything against Empress Masako. Grandchildren can't control grandparents. But, I think the history of Minamata disease should be known. This is one example of how deep into the heart of Japanese society the Chisso rot extended.

These are time table of the changing to New Era, New Emperor, New age!!
Check it out and enjoy them together !! ーAtsuko(Ü)
The key ceremonies in Japan's Imperial succession
Emperor Akihito’s abdication, one of several ceremonies marking the transition to his heir, Crown Prince Naruhito, will be a brief, relatively...

It's the nice weather to play sports during GW.
If you want to play sports with your friends and want to borrow some sports goods easily, I recommend to contact Suizenji Kyougijyou 水前寺競技場.
You can borrow these various lots goods by free. They accept only some group and team. They don't allow to borrow for someone personally, private.
This office opens during GW too. You should call there and book before you use the items. Hoping you enjoy sports with your friends together and have lots fun.－Atsuko(Ü)
https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/hpKiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=639&class_set_id=2&class_id=234

Joe Tomei here. A Kumamoto-i member wrote and asked:
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Kumamoto Electric Railway (熊本電気鉄道) has three types of decorated Kumamon train. I'll plan to take the train next Sunday. Could you provide me with the
timetable of decorated Kumamon train, please? Thank you very much. And, does the train run between Kita-Kumamoto Station and Kami-Kumamoto Station?
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If there is someone who could help her with that request, please post in the comments.
Also, a gentle reminder, the message interface for Facebook is not the best and we have multiple editors (and right now, I'm in Korea for a year) so questions like this may not be answered in time if you are in a rush.

We have been discussing the role of female politicians in Japan recently. CNN has a fascinating - if superficial - article on the historical roles of female rulers of Japan. One quote:
Instead, the (Meiji) period saw a masculinization of the emperor and of Japanese society in general as the Meiji regime emphasized the perceived superiority of men over women. "In the Meiji constitution, the notion of 'ie' (house) was inscribed. That subordinated wives and household members under one patriarch. This wasn't the case before," says Tonomura, the historian.
In particular, the article's reference to "western Japan" likely implies Kyushu; Daizaifu, in Fukuoka, was an ancient capital. I'll bite into this later, but meanwhile, during GW, have a look at Mononokehime, and if any have info, please note. - William
Centuries ago, women ruled Japan. What changed?
The long-term survival of the world's oldest monarchy will depend on a schoolboy when Japan's current emperor abdicates next week, reviving calls for an end to laws that bar women from the throne.

The new Reiwa Era will start on May 1.It might be the second Era for almost of all international friends.Here is the news about the person who live through 5 Eras. Congrats!ーAtsuko(Ü)
Japanese centenarian 'full of emotion' to see fifth era name of his lifetime
Ahead of the start of the forthcoming new era, Reiwa, on May 1, a centenarian in the city of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, says he is "full of...

A while back, William wrote a post about this based on a Japanese newspaper article.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/2559214370818646?tn=-R
Here's a link to an English-language article that may be of interest.
-- Kirk
Statue Sites Picked for One Piece Charity Statues in Kumamoto
Last year, Kumamoto native and One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda gifted the earthquake stricken Kumamoto prefecture 800 million yen (US$8 million). Kumamoto...

GW is coming soon! Do you have any plan to go?
Do you know where it is? Tuetate Onsen? Tuetate is very famous of its lots of Koinobori. But, No, too bad, Zannen!
It's in Kumamoto city. The river is Tsuboi river. Yes, these Koinoboriこいのぼりare decorated near the Takahashi Inari Oohashi高橋稲荷大橋. Of course it's near Takahashi Inari Jinjya 高橋稲荷神社. You might enjoy the beautiful shrine and tasty Karashirenkon near the view point. Hoping enjoy Golden WeekーAtsuko(Ü)
https://m.facebook.com/takahasiinari/?locale2=ja_JP

In our neighbor to the south, Kagoshima, lies the town of Tarumi (垂水 - Yes, that's how it's read - It's Kagoshima, Jake), best known for its land-bridge to Sakurajima, its really big beets, and the fact that a female had never, ever been elected to its local assembly - until the other day.
Yuka Ogata has been written about by Kirk. Now we have another champion, Misuzu Ikeda: A small step for man, a giant leap for womankind. - William
Japanese city gets its first ever female politician
Misuzu Ikeda becomes first assemblywoman in Tarumizu as record numbers of women elected nationwide

A rash of watermelon thefts has occurred in Ueki, with some 500 of the fruit recently snatched from several farmers. In addition to sales losses of 1.5 million yen is damage done to greenhouses and the trampling of carefully tended plants. Ueki is just off the Kyushu Expressway; my guess is that the watermelon thieves are from areas further afield - local retailers would be circumspect about origin. JA and the police are stepping up patrols. - William
生産者ら怒り、大玉スイカ盗難相次ぐ　熊本市｜熊本日日新聞
熊本市北区植木町で、出荷時期を迎えている特産の大玉スイカが狙われた盗難が相次いでおり、生産者や地元Ｊ...

Joe Tomei here, and I wanted to lift up a post made by Jacky Bencke at Kyushu Lutheran College. (I don't see it on the main page, and I'm not sure how other people would see this. If you are seeing this twice, apologies) Anyway, she writes:
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Who is up for a challenge? We, at Kyushu Lutheran College, are hosting the Wartburg College Wind Ensemble for an entire day in mid-May. 55 American college students will descend upon Kumamoto for a full 24 hours, and we would like to find interesting activities to fill about 5 of those hours, including dinner time. What would you recommend? Remember, 55. American. College students. Go!
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The students already have homestays, so some ideas for occupying the group for one day are sought. Please post your suggestions in the comments!

A note from the Kumamoto International Mascot Desk (it's difficult to type in our costumes): Peko-chan, the mascot of the confectionery company Funiya, has become BFF with Kumamon in order to market Kumamoto agricultural ingredients in their products. And you know that, once you've made friends with Peko-chan, you're moving up in the world. Kumanichi has the details. - William
くまモン、ペコちゃんがタッグ？　不二家と熊本県などが農産物利用で協定｜熊本日日新聞
菓子メーカーの不二家（東京）と県、ＪＡ熊本経済連、ＪＡ熊本果実連は２２日、県産農産物の利用促進に関す...

Joe Tomei here passing on a part time ALT position. Please contact the address below!
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Looking for a part time (approximately 10 hours a week from Mon-Sat) ALT for a junior high school located in Kumamoto city. Visa sponsorship is possible, but only in limited circumstances. The working contract will be up until the end of March 2020. If you are interested, please contact Kumiko Sakata at [email protected] for more details.

The end of an era - literally, not figuratively - is a week away. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have visited Kumamoto and nearby regions many times. Much fuss was caused by the emperor kneeling, shoeless, with victims of the Unzen volcanic eruption of 1991 as some thought it demeaning. But no: it was oh so meaningful, as was their visits to the mercury poisoning victims of Minamata. A review of the couple's Kumamoto visits is at the link. - William
Imperial dedication to those in need | The Japan Times
Emperor Akihito has devoted his 30 years on the throne to defining his role as "symbol of the state," a new status created under the postwar Constitution.

Here's an interesting article about how the Kumamoto zoo and the animals survived the quake and the reconstruction period.
-- Kirk
VOX POPULI: Network ensured Kumamoto zoo’s survival during 2016 quake crisis：The Asahi Shimbun
The night the Kumamoto quake struck three years ago, veterinarian Atsushi Matsumoto, 46, was working

Hello international friends. Here is Atsuko. Kirk invited me as an editor of this page. I'm not fluent English speaker but it's honor for me. I would like to share you useful and interesting information as a local citizen.
My local friend shared tonight's TV program, ナニコレ珍百景. It will introduce an international person who loves Japanese culture deeply and makes it by himself and keeps the traditional way with living old Japanese house古民家.
The town is my home town, Nagomi- machi. The place is Higo Minnkamura肥後民家村. I've met him before. His love to ..... is strong.
Hoping you also enjoy the program.ーAtsuko(Ü)

Jacinda Ardern's selection by TIME Magazine as one of the most influential people of 2019 has two tangential connections to discussion on this page:
1) Although the explicit raison d'être of this page is the exchange of information, I think an implicit objective of a multicultural forum such as this one should be the deepening of intercultural understanding and friendship. In this regard, I agree with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who recommended Prime Minister Ardern, that she has been truly inspirational.
2) Last year, Ardern became "only the second world leader to give birth while in office, the first being Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in 1990."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/21/jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-prime-minister-birth-baby-girl
The leadership she has shown since then demonstrates that women can successfully combine work and child rearing -- a topic about which we have had numerous discussions on this page.
-- Kirk
http://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2019/5567767/jacinda-ardern/
Jacinda Ardern: The 100 Most Influential People of 2019
Find out why Jacinda Ardern is on this year’s TIME 100 list

I saw this news last night on TV but until I got a message from Atsuko Furue suggesting that I post about it here, I didn't realize that Mr. Iwamoto is from Kumamoto. (Thanks Atsuko!)
If you'd like to read a longer article about the project, which was assisted by businessman/philanthropist Doug Smith, I would suggest "Five years after whale scuttled first attempt, blind sailor aims for nonstop Pacific crossing" in the San Diego Union Tribune:
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/san-diego/sd-me-ocean-voyage-20190221-story.html
Or, you can go to the source and check out their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Voyage-of-Inspiration-2185655038131156/
-- Kirk
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/04/20/national/im-happiest-person-earth-blind-japanese-sailor-completes-nonstop-pacific-crossing/#.XLvtBC-B3m1
'I'm the happiest person on earth': Blind Japanese sailor completes nonstop Pacific crossing | The Japan Times
A blind Japanese sailor on Saturday successfully completed a near two-month, nonstop voyage from San Diego to Fukushima Prefecture, making him the first pe

Our friend Eichiro Eddie Fukuoka provided this photo of a wildflower blossoming in an area now devoid of residents in Mashiki three years after the quakes. He titled it, "No surrender!" - William