Kumamoto International Archive

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

Many seem interested in Kirk's post regarding Takachiho, so I thought to add a bit more information.
Takachiho Gorge was carved out of rock deposited by two different Aso eruptions, respectively 120,000 and 90,000 years ago. A close look at the photographs clearly show rock of two different types lining the gorge walls, the lower having crystallized into pillar formations and the upper volcanic tuft. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%AB%98%E5%8D%83%E7%A9%82%E5%B3%A1
Access is possible by bus, the Sanko Tokyu Takachio-go which departs from platform 3 at Kotsu Center once daily at 9:11 and arrives at Takachiho at 12:43; the return bus departs Takachiho at 16:41 and arrives around 20:00. Round-trip tickets cost 4,110 yen. Given the time constraints, an overnight trip would be best. Here is a PDF of the timetable: http://www.kyusanko.co.jp/sankobus_top/sites/all/themes/SankobusTop/pdf/20160708takachiho.pdf and the route Website: http://www.kyusanko.co.jp/sankobus/toshikan/takachiho/ Once there, a town bus which tours all of the main sites can be accessed all day for 600 yen. Boats can be rented for 2,000 yen/hour. This is the town tourist Website, which contains much valuable info but is only in Japanese: http://takachiho-kanko.info/
高千穂峡 - Wikipedia
高千穂峡（たかちほきょう）は、宮崎県西臼杵郡高千穂町三田井にある五ヶ瀬川にかかる峡谷である。国の名勝、天然記念物に指定されている（五箇瀬川峡谷（高千穂峡谷））。

Thankfully, it's fairly cool in Kumamoto today but we certainly have gone through a long, hard spell of heat and humidity. Actually, when it comes to the combination of heat and humidity, the tenki.jp weather site
http://www.tenki.jp/labo/vol_6
says that Kumamoto is the worst prefecture in Japan. This site has it's own index for "jimenatsubi" (ジメ暑日; uncomfortably hot and sticky days). The exact formula is unclear but they say that a temperature of 32 C (about 90 F) and humidity of 74% produces a "jimenatsu" (hot and sticky) rating of 85 and that a rating of 85 or higher makes that day a "jimenatsubi." Unfortunately, Kumamoto has more such days (25.9, on average) than any other prefecture in Japan. Here's the top five:
1 Kumamoto, 25.9 days
2 Kagoshima, 25.8
3 Nara, 25.7
3 Kochi, 24.8
5 Saga, 24.7
So, enjoy the cool weather while it lasts!
-- Kirk
P.S. Kumamoto is not the most humid place in Japan:
http://grading.jpn.org/SRB02201.html
It's the combination of heat and humidity that makes it special.
To see today's humidity data (in Japanese, unfortunately) go to
http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/amedas_h/today-86141.html

A note from the Kumamoto International entomology desk.
Autumn is just around the corner, meaning it is time for the jorōgumo (Japanese orb spiders) to enlarge their webs - and size. One has secured an advantageous location on my balcony; I just observed as she used one of her forefeet to transfer water droplets from her web to her mouth (yes, most spiders drink water - today's rain must be a relief to them). As with other orb spiders, their webs can be extremely large and dense and the silk robust: run a finger across a strand and it feels like a fishing line. Despite their large size, the spider presents no danger to humans (though stumbling into a web can be most unpleasant - like walking through a cotton candy machine). It is nearly blind but very sensitive to vibrations, so try clapping loudly near one to watch its reaction.
I say "she" as only the females build webs. Sexual dimorphism in this species is extreme, like a chihuahua trying to make it with a great dane - the ladies build the webs, and the diminutive guys hang out in the corners, waiting for a chance to get laid without being eaten first. This, in addition to the females' bright colors, are the origin of its name: "Jorōgumo" would be directly translated as "prostitute spider." In fact, the jorōgumo has had since Edo times its own yokai meme, which has it that, when females turn 400, they acquire the ability to transform into beautiful maidens, and as such seduce wayward men by playing the biwa and then bind them and do what spiders do with bound prey. So there's that.
Photos and more info on the spider can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephila_clavata
and more info on the yokai stories here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jor%C5%8Dgumo
- William
Nephila clavata - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nephila clavata, also known as the Jorō Spider (ジョロウグモ（女郎蜘蛛、上臈蜘蛛）, Jorō-gumo?), is a member of the golden orb-web spider group. The spider can be found throughout Japan except Hokkaidō, in Korea, Taiwan and China. Due to the large size as well as the bright, unique colors of the species of the femal...

Here's an article about an event that was held for Kumamoto in San Jose.
-- Kirk
http://www.rafu.com/2016/08/jazz-katsu-evening-for-kumamoto-at-jamsj/
‘Jazz Katsu Evening for Kumamoto’ at JAMsj

This year, records have been set all over Japan (including Kumamoto, of course) for the number of days over 35 C (95 F). I'll write more about that later but this graph helps to put the information in historical context. The light blue (somewhat faint) line represents the number of days over 35 C in each year. The dark blue line represents the 10-year average (5 years before and 5 after) for each year. The red line shows the overall trend. This data from the JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) is presented as evidence of global warming.
The graph does not include this year's data. We won't know for another month or so what the 2016 figure for moshobi (days over 35 C) will be. Even if we don't surpass it, I suspect we will be close to the peak you see around 1998.
-- Kirk
熊本における猛暑日（最高気温３５度以上）の変化をあらわしたグラフです。青の細線が年々の値、濃い青線が前後5年間の平均をあらわしています。
赤色の線が直線での変化傾向をあらわす線です。猛暑日は熊本で有意に増加しており、３０年あたり約８日増加しています。
http://www.jma-net.go.jp/kumamoto/ondanka/ondanka_days.html

Hot, isn't it? Kumamoto has a reputation for being hot, but this year is particularly so. The smooth red line in the graph shows the average high temperature for the past few decades and the squiggly line is the record for this year. As you can see, we are considerably above average this year. I'll try to post later about records that have been set. The good news is that the next few days should be a bit cooler.
-- Kirk
http://weather.time-j.net/Stations/JP/kumamoto

When I posted about the demolition of the Uto city hall building earlier, I wondered how the documents would be recovered. This answers my question.
-- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201608260061.html
Mighty magnet used to pull files from quake-hit Kumamoto office：The Asahi Shimbun
UTO, Kumamoto Prefecture--A powerful magnet attached to a crane was used to retrieve metal filing ca

Kumamoto apparently has a Newspaper Museum located near Shimotori sponsered by the Kumanichi (map at the link)! They are currently holding an exhibition of photographs from the series of quakes which has been extended to September 24 (the exhibition, not the quakes - those will probably continue much longer). Admission is free - and the venue is air conditioned! Tip o' the hat to Michiko Shiiba - William
https://kumanichi.com/museum/event/

Sadly, there's been a very serious earthquake in Myanmar as well.
-- KIrk

I'm sure everyone who experienced the earthquake here can sympathize with what the people of central Italy are going though now.
-- Kirk
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/24/europe/gallery/italy-earthquake/
Earthquake strikes central Italy: Images
Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.Earthquake strikes central ItalyUpdated 10:23 AM ET, Wed August 24, 2016 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: Earthquake strikes central ItalyRescuers...

Nebuta are very colorful images - paintings, sculptures, etc. - of scowling samurai most closely associated with Aomori and were designated a National Cultural Asset in 1980. The origin of the word is unclear and is generally written in hiragana, although one kanji set has it as "佞武多", which would translate as "obsequience to many warriors," an attitude clearly sensible to adopt back when there were many warriors who could legally cut off your head if they felt like it.
To aid Kumamoto restoration, Sendai, Aomori and Akita Prefectures have assembled a group of their Nebuta sculptures for display at Ninomaru Park on September (wow - September already?!) 3rd from 7:00 - 9:00 PM and 4th from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. The event is free of charge, but donations for Kumamoto recovery will be welcome. Tip o' the hat to AnneMarie. - William
http://fukkou-nebuta.jp/

My favorite typhoon info service, the US military's Joint Typhoon Warning Center, seems to have been privatized and is thus no longer available without subscription. Searching for options, I found another site which superimposes animation of expected routes on Google maps. It's fun! Typhoon 10 is taking a very unusual course, meandering southwest off the east coast of Kyushu - typhoons in that are generally move northeast. Enjoy the site, and keep an eye on this lil' guy. - Willian http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/digital-typhoon/forecast/google-maps/index.html.en
Digital Typhoon: Typhoon Track Forecast (on Google Maps) - Real-time Information and Forecast on Location and Intensity
[How to read the map] The color of markers on the track is explained in symbols of typhoon track charts, and the number of markers for the forecast represents the period of forecast. A blue circle represents a probability circle, in which the center of the typhoon is expected to be observed at the t...

Soon after the April 14th earthquake hit, the JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) issued warnings about possible "aftershocks of 6-lower or greater." This was technically correct but the word "aftershock" may have caused people to assume that the worst was over. Of course, we know now that the worst was yet to come and that some people lost their lives because they returned to their damaged homes. After considering the issue, the JMA has decided to avoid using the word "aftershock" in similar situations in the future and to warn about more quakes "of similar or greater intensity" instead.
As far as I can see, this change in policy has not yet been reported in English-language media. The image you see is a page from a pdf issued by the JMA:
http://www.jishin.go.jp/main/yosoku_info/gaiyo.pdf
-- Kirk

I heard something interesting about Shugakukan today: None of their players are from Kumamoto; they are all at Shugakukan on 「野球留学」 (yakyu ryugaku -- studying away from home to play baseball). Shugakukan is not the only school to recruit outstanding talent from other prefectures but it is an extreme case because all of the players it has registered to play in the Koshien (I believe the total is 18) are from other prefectures. Kinda makes you wonder what rooting for the "home team" means after all, doesn't it? In Japanese see
https://news.nifty.com/article/item/neta/12189-152002/
Photo source:
http://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20160820002068.html
-- Kirk

According to this item from TBS News, we've had more than 2000 Level 1 or higher quakes since April 14th. This is more activity than has been recorded for any similar quake since such record keeping began. On the whole, however, the frequency and intensity of the quakes is declining. Click on the link to see the Japanese news video:
http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2849580.html
-- Kirk

It was a fairly close game, but Shugakkan (or "Syugakukan," as they spell it on their web page) lost 3-4 in the semifinals.

Shugakkan faces Minami Hokkaido at about 12:30 tomorrow (Saturday) in the Koshien semifinals.
-- Kirk
http://www9.nhk.or.jp/koushien/

Kumamoto quake death toll reaches 80
KUMAMOTO (Jiji Press) — The death toll from a series of powerful earthquakes that hit Kumamoto Prefecture in April has reached 80, including 25 people who died from indirect causes.

A few weeks ago I wrote about the inaccurate claim that Japanese law requires all foreigners (not just those traveling without an address in Japan) to submit their passports for copying when staying at a hotel. As reported on Debito.org, the Nikkei Asian Review has "corrected" their article. I put the word "corrected" in quotation marks because, as one of the readers of Debito.org pointed out, the Nikkei Asian Review merely deleted the incorrect passage; they did not issue a correction statement.
I wonder how they got it wrong in the first place. My suspicion is that the police are, either intentionally or unintentionally, misrepresenting the law.
I also know from my experience managing this page that articles of this kind get most of their traffic immediately after they are issued. So, merely deleting the offending passage does very little to correct the misunderstanding that was created. Perhaps I need write to them again . . . sigh . . .
-- Kirk
http://www.debito.org/?p=14149
debito.org » Blog Archive » Nikkei Asian Review wrongly reports “Japanese law requires hotels to check and keep copies of foreigners’ passports”. Corrected after protest, but misreported text still proliferates
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Fireworks in Aso (Uchinomaki) Saturday. See the blog for details:
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/denku_franck2711/56148214.html
-- Kirk
P.S. English is followed by French:
"La période d'Obon est maintenant terminée est comme prévu de nombreux visiteurs se sont arrêtés à Michi no Eki Aso."
Aso summer festival - Michi No Eki Aso
Hello everyone ! Bonjour ! Obon is now over and as predicted many tourists came to visit us at Michi no Eki Aso. It is s...