Kumamoto International Archive

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

S.A(Samurai Attack)Oi! Influenced Japanese punk @Django on November 11th in Central Kumamoto. I saw them last year and they reminded me a bit of early 80’s punk/new wave like 999/Adam Ant.They opened for Rancid on one of their Japanese tours.Tickets are a bit pricy at 3800 yen advanced and 4300 on the day. I assuming the drink ticket is included. Django is a nice club with a professional loud sound system. So I suggest ear plugs. The local scene though small can be rather welcoming seeing a foreigner at the shows. It’s a great event to see something unique and maybe talk about something different. Hell, You might be band member of an unknown Kumamoto punk after the end of night. That’s what happened on me. Jay Onyskin Here is Wikipedia link to SA in English. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA_(Samurai_Attack)and here is a YouTube video. https://youtu.be/B4x3MGNjjOc
SA (Samurai Attack) - Wikipedia
SA (also known outside Japan as Samurai Attack) is a Japanese punk rock band. Their style of music has been described (in the liner notes of their own releases) as Oi! punk.

Here's a message from Mr. Itoh for the International Center. I'll add English translations for the "comic" images. -- Kirk
-----------------------------
Zenjido Yamada exhibition
6 Oct - 21 Oct 2018 (Close: 9 Oct)
9:00-22:00
Kumamoto International Center Entrance Hall
Free
Real Name: Takayuki Yamada
Born in: Saga Pref.
Live in: Fukuoka Pref.
Mr. Yamada sets himself as Zenjido Yamada lived from the end of Edo to Meiji period and he wrote what he felt at the time. Mr. Yamada is a web designer and he shows his art works on SNS such as Instagram or Twitter. Amazingly, more than 350, 000 people have followed his Instagram account. He uses iPad and Apple Pencil, Procreate for iPad app for his art works.
Have you heard Japanese word ARU ARU(あるある) before? ‘’ARU ARU’’ may just happen to everyone and forced them to get embarrassed. For example, when you get lost somewhere in Japan and try to ask the way in Japanese, but the person is actually Chinese. Can you relate to that? We say ARU ARU at that time.
Zenjido Yamada tells us a lot of ARU ARU situations in his works. You may find our Japanese interesting, little bit strange way of feeling but these are actual our one of points of views.
We hope you will find your favorite work and please tell us your ARU ARU story.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL), an American global cruise company based in Miami (good place to base a cruise company!) is the world's second-largest cruise line. And they are coming to a location near you. This is big news.
Kumanichi reports that RCL will invest a tad over $100 million dollars (U.S. type) to create a welcome portal for international cruise ships in Yatsushiro slated to open in 2020, coinciding with the Olympics. Clearly, the clientele is expected to be from nearby countries. In cooperation with governmental authorities, the area to be jointly developed will be 8 hectares in the southwestern Yatsushiro Port area with a passenger terminal encompassing functions of customs and immigration (and duty-free shops!). RCL will be responsible for approximately 3 hectares to create hospitality zones with Kumamon-related facilities planned such as "Kumamon Park," lawn space, and eating and drinking establishments.
Yatsushiro is moving up in the world. - William
八代港に「くまモン公園」整備へ　熊本県、クルーズ船拠点化で | 熊本日日新聞 - This kiji is
国際クルーズ船の拠点を目指す八代港の整備イメージ。手前には旅客ターミナル（四角の建物）と、くまモンをテーマにしたおもてなしゾーンが広がる（県提供）　国際クルーズ船の拠点を目指して八代港（熊本県八代市）...

It's a pretty windy day in Kumamoto.
This website helps us understand how the typhoon near Korea is causing the weather we're experiencing.
-- Kirk
https://www.windy.com/?35.934,135.703,6

I hope those of you who are tired of this story will forgive me for posting again about lozengate, but, if you are an English speaker and you're still interested, you really should know about this interview with Yuka Ogata on Canadian radio.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcasts/current-affairs-information/as-it-happens/
Thanks to Tim Curnew for the heads up!
The relevant interview can be heard at
https://podcast-a.akamaihd.net/mp3/podcasts/asithappens-sl8Lt76J-20181003.mp3
beginning about about 50:30.
I learned some new things from the interview. I found it to be much more informative (at least regarding Ms. Ogata's perspective) than local coverage in Japanese. Local coverage seems to be focused primarily on building up support for the idea that all of the blame rests with Ms. Ogata. Ironically, it seems like local coverage is the worst, national coverage is a good deal better, and international coverage is the best in this case. More "distance" (both physical and emotional) seems to be conducive to better journalism in this kind of situation.
-- Kirk

Toyo Kezai magazine published their annual ranking of what they call 「地元愛」、which might be translated as "love of hometown" - or, better, an identifier of one's primary identity. As seen at the link, Kyushu scored high, with Fukuoka #1, Kitakyushu #5, and Kumamoto #9 out of 21 major cities; in terms of pride in one's hometown, Kumamoto ranks #7; and in terms of recommended living, #10.
Unfortunately, there was no question regarding mascots; conversely, fortunately, there was also no question regarding city council. Easily readable tables (Japanese) are at the link. - William
発表！全国21都市｢市民の地元愛｣ランキング | 街･住まい
自分が暮らすまちや生まれ育ったまちに愛着や誇りを持つこと――いま、こうした「市民のプライド」や各都市のイメージに対する注目が集まっている。それは、市民のプライドが高まることによる効果として、自治体関…

For those of you who can understand Japanese and would like to gain some insight into "lozengate" (the weird goings on that led to the punishment of Yuka Ogata), I strongly recommend these videos. There are all of the same program (divided so as to meet Facebook's data restrictions):
スッキリ[デ]のどアメなめて登壇…熊本市議が出席停止/本人を直撃!!
http://www.ntv.co.jp/program/detail/21872486.html
The program was broadcast Wednesday morning. If you are feeling down about the kind of inflexibility shown by the city council members, this show should renew your faith in Japanese common sense. The commentators are much more bothered by the attitude of the majority of the council members than by Ms. Ogata's choice of cough suppressant. Also, whereas many media reports tend to skim over the surface so that it's hard to know what really happened, this one provides enough detail, including lots of video of what went on in the city council chambers, to give you a clear idea of how things really developed.
One city council member uses the tired cliché of the council chamber being a "sacred" space in justifying their action against Ms. Ogata. You can see in the video, however, that many men are heckling her in a manner that no one would mistake for sacred chanting. ;) Ms. Ogata comports herself throughout the affair with much more dignity than do the hecklers.
At the very end of the program, the main announcer bemoans the lack of flexibility demonstrated by the politicians in power. Blame for 8 wasted hours and an disproportionately heavy punishment is put at the feet of the politicians -- not Ms. Ogata. I also like the fact that the video ends with a good deal of laughter at the ridiculousness of the city council's actions. Sometimes laughter is the most appropriate response. (If only SNL in the United States would do a skit about this!!)
The sound is not very good. The video was recorded by merely pointing a smartphone at a TV. However, if you use earphones or speakers, you should be able to hear everything.
-- Kirk
https://www.facebook.com/100002017792457/posts/1943111262432781/

Here's a nice message to me from friend-of-this-page Atsuko Furue:
"Please share our information about YWCA bazaar and halloween party for kids and international friends.They will also have cooking activity.
We hope many guests come to join us.✩°｡⋆⸜(˙꒳˙ )⸝"
-- Kirk

Fiona here. I'll be running my homemade escape game again this weekend at my classroom in Onoue, Higashi-ku. If you're interested in playing, get a team together (3-6 players is ideal) and contact my via the Escape from Britz page to reserve your time.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=742988316043700&id=737968626545669

A note from the Kumamoto International Desk of Oddities (merged with that of Everyday Occurrences as they've grown impossible to distinguish):
Another weekend coming up! Odd how that seems to happen every week. And another typhoon coming! Odd how this seems to happen every weekend.
This guy goes by a few names. Japan only counts typhoons which form in the west Pacific, so it's No. 25. The U.S. Navy counts all (there's one in Cabo San Lucas now sending tasty waves to my hometown), so it would be No. 30; the U.S. also, for some reason (maybe an affinity for pets?) gives them names, so it would be "Kong Rey." I can't find the etymology, but the name sounds scary.
It will pass through the Tsushima straights and likely won't be a big deal, but typhoons passing to the west often have greater impact on Kumamoto, so take care. Below is an image of its expected course as well as a video of a bro from my hometown who got, like, so pitted (an example of why, no matter how well you master English, you'll never be able to communicate with the surfer culture in LA). - William
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2h1VprIBpE

Kirk here. As is apparent from my recent posts on this page, I've been thinking about the city council issue a lot lately. In off line conversations I've had, the idea has come up that part (but, of course, certainly not all) of the hostility shown to Yuka Ogata by her colleagues in the city council may stem from her experience outside of Japan. If you check out her Wikipedia page, you can see that she has studied at George Mason University in the U.S. and then "was an officer in the Yemen office of UNDP."
Most of the internationally-minded readers of this page probably see her foreign experience and ability to use English as something that is positive and admirable. However, it seems that such an assessment is not universal. In fact, there's even a derogatory word in Japanese for people who have been abroad and flaunt that experience: Kaigai kabure (or "gaikoku kabure").
Now, I'm not saying that Ms. Ogata has flaunted her foreign experience. But it has been suggested to me that the very fact that she has spent a considerable chunk of time outside of the country may have heightened feelings of antipathy for her.
It's not hard to find evidence of a general dislike of so-called "gaikoku kabure" types. There are many, many web pages and YouTube videos about the topic. For example,
https://girlschannel.net/topics/1447573/
https://girlschannel.net/topics/1215773/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jb7JhDJhXI
I'd be curious to know if Japanese readers of this page agree with the idea that Ms. Ogata's experience abroad may be making some of her colleagues just that much more hostile to her. Thanks in advance.
https://culture-talk.com/2018/02/12/【留学あるある】海外かぶれした日本人の特徴５/
【留学あるある】海外かぶれした日本人の特徴５つ。 - Culture Talk Blog
「留学へ行く前は典型的な日本人だった。でも短期留学を経て海外…

All of that wonderful publicity Kumamon has done for Kumamoto flushed down the drain. Huffingtonpost Japan reports on how lozengegate has gone international with an article titled "Inflexible Society" - "Yūzū ga Kikanai Shakai". (Japanese but English-language comments and links.) - William
のど飴をなめながら質疑したことを理由に、緒方夕佳議員が退席させられました。

Here's an ironic look at the cough drop scandal
https://www.therisingwasabi.com/kumamoto-councilwoman-ejected-from-hearing-for-using-mouth-to-speak-out/
-- Kirk
P.S. Thanks to Suzanne Hayasaki for the heads up.
Kumamoto Councilwoman Ejected From Hearing For Using Mouth To Speak Out
Kumamoto City councilwomen Yuka Ogata, 43, an assembly member who attracted attention last year for bringing her newborn son to the assembly, has been ejected from the municipal assembly hall during a plenary session of the city council for using her mouth to speak out. Male members of the chamber s...

Kumanichi reports that, as of November, 13,314 households remain in temporary housing. In principal, this housing was made available for two years; last year, usage was extended for an additional year, and yesterday, the Prefectural government extended it a further year for those under two conditions: whose homesites are permanently damaged (liquefaction was stated as a cause); and who are unable to afford funds to rebuild, conditions (sadly) met by 7,746 households. As for the latter, Governor Kabashima was quoted as saying he'll investigate availability of reverse mortgages "without a moment's delay." Considering it's been three years since the quakes, one might hope so, but a reverse mortgage on a now-worthless piece of land belonging to a person too elderly to start over doesn't help much.
This does mean that housing for about 50% of the population will be terminated from next April. Below is an image of how they've been living. - William
熊本地震の仮設入居期限、さらに１年延長　最長４年に | 熊本日日新聞 - This kiji is
県内最大の５００戸超が立ち並ぶテクノ仮設団地＝２０１８年４月、益城町　県は１日、熊本地震の被災者が入る仮設住宅の入居期限をさらに１年延長して最長４年とすると発表した。延長は昨年に続き２度目。２０１９年...

Joe Tomei here, I've just received this notice for a program (in Japanese) that may be of interest to some folks here. I met one of the speakers, Adam Fulford, last month. Please direct inquiries to the email listed on the handout.

The Guardian has published a detailed article on Ogata Yuka's case. I think it is quite good -- much more detailed and accurate than the Japan Times article.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/01/japanese-politician-thrown-out-of-meeting-for-sucking-cough-drop-yuka-ogata-breastfeeding-row
-- Kirk
Japanese politician thrown out of meeting for sucking cough drop
Yuka Ogata, the councillor at the centre of last year’s breastfeeding row, rails at ‘outdated attitudes’

Our hearts go out to the victims of the quakes and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Methods to provide aid are provided via the Jakarta Post link below.
Of geological interest was liquefaction (Japanese - "ekitaika" 「液体化」). This can happen during quakes where the water table is shallow and is of concern in Yatsushiro and certain areas of Kumamoto City. A rare video of its effects was captured, showing buildings sliding as if on slime or simply being swallowed by the earth, available at the second link. A friend recently asked for advice on purchasing a house regarding earthquake faults; I answered that those are unavoidable but to be careful of the soil type. - William
http://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/09/30/how-you-can-help-palu-earthquake-victims.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-hRPnHZhGQ
How you can help Palu earthquake victims
Humanitarian organizations have extended a helping hand, accepting donations in the form of funds, goods and volunteer work. Here is the list of organizations through which you can offer assistance to the Palu and Donggala earthquake victims:

The Japan Times has picked the issue up:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/09/30/national/kumamoto-municipal-assembly-kicks-female-member-sucking-cough-drop-session/
One correction: Ogata didn't refuse to apologize. She refused to read that the humiliating 'apology' that the leadership demanded that she read.
-- Kirk
Kumamoto Municipal Assembly kicks female member out for sucking on cough drop during session | The Japan Times
Should cough drops be allowed or not? That is the question that took center stage in the Kumamoto Municipal Assembly on Friday, forcing it to suspend delib

Now that the typhoon's passed, the insects are getting on with their imperatives. Let's discuss crickets (of the family tettigoniidae, or "kirigirisu" 「キリギリス」, a rather cute name), known in Japanese as "kourogi" ( コオロギ) - but it's one of those weird words that have multiple kanji（蟋蟀、蛬、蛩、蛼）- memorize any to amaze your Japanese friends, who probably know none.
For cricket guys, this season means continually shouting "I'm here!" in a voice they hope gals will find more attractive than that of that schmuck beyond the shrub. This all makes for a delightful symphony of lust.
Males may create noise as the bottom of their wing is covered with ridges, and the upper surface acts like a scraper. When crickets rub the upper and lower parts of their wings together, they create a chirping sound called “stridulating." They're not the most attractive of beasts, but they do produce a wonderful autumn symphony. Below is a chart of stridulating insects; each creates a different sound. Click for a better view - or, just sleep with your window open and try to count them. - William

Ken Mogi is a well-known brain scientist and, according to Wikipedia, was the first Japanese person to give a TED talk.
Well, Dr. Mogi has just begun a new vlog and the first installment is about the "Lozengate" issue (my term; I've heard のど飴騒動 in Japanese) here in Kumamoto. The YouTube video has an extremely artificial sounding laugh track but I think his ideas are good. If you understand spoken Japanese well, you might enjoy this. Even if you don't understand what he's saying, I think it's interesting that the issue is generating debate far away from Kumamoto.
-- Kirk
P.S. I think that the men who control the city council were trying to shame Ms. Ogata into submission. Perhaps it would be a good idea to give them a taste of their own medicine -- let their attempt to bully Ms. Ogata be known to people all over the world and see if international opprobrium has any effect of their behavior. One step in this direction might be to share my English-language summary of the issue (following link):
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/2148510448555709
Thanks in advance!
のどあめをなめながらしゃべるのは不謹慎か？（もぎけんのデイリーショー No.0001）
どれくらい続くのか、わかりませんが、もぎけんのデイリーショー第一回です。２０１８年９月２９日の気になることをお話しています。