Kumamoto International Archive

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

Kirk here with an update on Hertz's policy toward expats with driver's licenses and passports from different countries.
First, for background, here's the URL of my post on the issue from last year:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0ue3eC5LrJp3LAsUhLQUe7PCwfK7dSuNYeQ5ezzY33LGcw8wke1v5h2ff9ik2VSFxl
In a nutshell, I was told at the Hertz office at the airport in Madison, Wisconsin (USA) that if I have a Japanese driver's license I should have a Japanese passport; or, since I'm an American citizen, I should have a driver's license from a state in the U.S.
As you can imagine, I was not a happy camper. I was left without transportation and no refund. Plus, the issue occurred when a convention was being held so none of the other rental agencies had a vehicle I could rent (even though other agencies said that they would not have a problem with my documentation).
Unwilling to accept this treatment, I began writing to journalists who had written about Hertz in the past according to information I was able to find searching the web. None of the journalists responded to me but, in the process, I was able to find an image on Twitter of a letter from Hertz CEO at the time Stephen Scherr. The image showed his e-mail address (normally not shared with the public) so I wrote directly to the CEO and listed the media (CBS, New York Times, etc.) that I had written to about the expat-discrimination I faced. I didn't get a response directly from Mr. Scherr but that e-mail got a response from someone at Hertz's "Executive Customer Service." That final resulted in a refund and points that would allow me a free rental during my next visit.
The refund was certainly good but the problem now is that I'm unable to use the points because the basic issue is unresolved; the Hertz in Madison, Wisconsin still says that I can't rent with my documents.
At least I know in advance this time (I didn't even think to check about this in advance last time). We'll rent elsewhere and let the points sleep for now.
I'm considering trying to go through the U.S. consulate in Fukuoka, as I think the US government should stand up for law abiding US taxpayers who face discrimination from ignorant American businesses. In the meantime, if your situation is similar to mine, beware of Hertz!

Sad news about a girl from Ozu, Kumamoto who drowned in Hastings, Nebraska, USA. -- Kirk
P.S. I'll put links to other articles and video in comments.
Ozu student has died following July 31 water rescue at Aquacourt
A 13-year-old girl from Ozu, Japan, who was rescued from the water at the Hastings Aquacourt Water Park July 31 died early Sunday morning, the Hastings International Exchange Organization announced

News: It's hot! -- Kirk (The NHK webpage features a video news report in English.)
Japan blanketed by intense heat on Monday | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Many parts of Japan remain in the grip of intense heat on Monday, with temperatures rising above 35 degrees Celsius in the morning in some areas.

Here's an inquiry that came to the page. Please share any wisdom you may have in a comment.
We're looking for ways to send our household items to the U.S. next spring by ship. We've found that the post office charges about half of what a shipping company charges per large cardboard box of 25 kg. We're wondering if the shipping company is better for any reason other than coming to our apartment to pick up the boxes. Any advice?

In local crime -- Kirk
Kumamoto man stabs self just before discovery of corpse of ex-colleague in car
A 51-year-old man stabbed himself with a knife inside his parked car in Kumamoto City just before the discovery of the corpse his female co-worker

Record setting heat (38.8°C or 101.8°F!!!) in Kumamoto today. -- Kirk
--- start ChatGPT translation of article ---
Extreme Heat in Nearly All Locations in Kumamoto Prefecture: Record High Temperatures at Five Sites
August 4 (Sunday) 18:53 Report
KAB Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting
On the 4th in Kumamoto Prefecture, almost all observation points recorded extremely hot days, with record high temperatures observed at five locations, including Kumamoto City.
Due to being covered by a high-pressure system, the strong sunlight, and the continuous inflow of warm air from last week, temperatures have risen in Kumamoto Prefecture.
At the Kumamoto City observation point, the highest temperature on record was reached at 3 PM, with 38.8°C (101.8°F). People were seen wiping away sweat as they walked in front of JR Kumamoto Station.
Additionally, Tamana City and Asagiri Town recorded 38.4°C (101.1°F), Hitoyoshi City 38.2°C (100.8°F), and Amakusa City 38.1°C (100.6°F), all updating their respective highest temperatures on record.
Kosa Town also recorded 38.3°C (100.9°F), marking the highest temperature in August on record, and it became the hottest day for the 17th consecutive day, the highest number ever recorded in the prefecture.
On the 4th, almost all observation points in Kumamoto Prefecture recorded extremely hot days, and 65 people were transported due to symptoms of heatstroke.
Extreme heat is also expected on the 5th, and a heatstroke warning alert has been issued.
--- end translation ---
熊本県内ほぼ全地点で猛暑日　５地点で史上最高気温（KAB熊本朝日放送） - Yahoo!ニュース
熊本県内は４日、ほぼ全ての観測地点で猛暑日となり、熊本市など５地点で観測史上最高気温となりました。熊本県内は高気圧に覆われて日差しが強まり、先週から継続して暖かい空気が上空に流れ込んでいて気温が

Here's a newspaper article about the reopening of the bike racing stadium (Kumamoto Keirinjo) that I posted about the other day. -- Kirk
Kumamoto: Keirin Track Reopens 8 Years After Earthquake; G-1 Race to Be Held at Velodrome in 2026
KUMAMOTO — Kumamoto’s keirin cycle racing track, which closed after the April 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, has been restored and is now open in the city’s Chuo Ward.

Kirk here announcing that this year's takigi (touch-lit) noh performance in Suizenji Park will be held tomorrow (August 3). The time of the evening and free admission will be the same as last year (see last year's post, shown below). This year's performance will be of Tamura, which you can read about in English here:
https://www.the-noh.com/en/plays/data/program_028.html
Someone (I wonder who? hint: it ain't me, but I've been helping with the text) will read a 5-minute or less description in English about the play and some key aspects of noh theatre at the beginning of the program. Otherwise, everything will be in Japanese.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid05ZFfQsKAkMKHnQxzZQCHHLyqxBfyRCyHPxqiPduAXeqaUcPocSiYzSzc9cs6xNtal
Sorry for the last-minute notice.

Joe Tomei here, hope I'm not overstepping. My wife will be showing her artwork at hair studio KR, she's planning on being there every morning if you want to talk to the artist.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pTBQxvjjXUwoUrRq9

Are you enjoying your summer holidays?
I went to Kumamoto Airport and found a good leaflet on sightseeing in Kumamoto, so I will share it with you.
The city is on standby for the HINOKUNI MATSURI.
My latest recommendation is to dip a Tokyo banana, a souvenir from Tokyo, into Kuma shochu and eat it soaked in sake. I recommend it as the sweetness of the banana matches the aroma of the shochu.
Hoping you also enjoy Kumamoto summer well.
(* 'ᵕ' )☆Atsuko
Kumamoto Tourism website
https://kumamotopics.com/welcome/
https://kumamoto.guide/en/
https://www.kumamotto.net/
https://kumamoto-guide.translate.goog/shop/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEYopdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHa-SvnHs-kYy9t08i2vTb59vp6Kryl0MVmUR9U5snNZCqzEmKNSwVbReDQ_aem_UeO5E56br5q-0SN9QIUh-w&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
https://www-asocity--kanko-jp.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
https://page-line-me.translate.goog/?accountId=677sdumk&fbclid=IwY2xjawEYo4BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHU7OxNEcPsmWND_ZLMfXOgSPUsWBPWAA7B-OwcngClF2rwAnzZSSQF5dxg_aem_-QImdooOKGV-Q89qz9MD7w&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_hist=true

Tis the season!! 🤽🏼‍♀️ ⚽ 🥇 Some new Kumamoto residents are asking about casual, local sports teams and social gatherings 🎲 🏀 🤸🏼‍♀️ If any of you sporty folk know of soccer kick-abouts or casual basketball meetups, please post the details! - Ruth

Fiona here, with a recommendation for delicious ways to cool off during these hot summer days. Kumamoto Gelato is located in Koshi city, offers a wide variety of flavours and it's possible to have up to six in a cone or cup if you are spoilt for choice. As the reviews on Google Maps suggest, the owner can be quite pushy in the flavours he wishes you to try - I ended up with a weird combination of mango, matcha and Hawaiian blue in my cone, but it made for a funny and memorable experience.
熊本ジェラート · Koshi, Kumamoto
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Kirk here with Kumamoto City tram (shiden) news. The latest is a derailment.
Recently, there have been a slew of tram-related problems. Lack of public confidence in how the tram system has been run led the mayor to cancel a centennial celebration that had been planned (see Yahoo link, in Japanese, below).
Tram service was started in 1924 when TAKAHASHI Morio was mayor. Takahashi went on to become the first president of what is now called Kumamoto Gakuen University, where I work. His establishment and development of the tram network was one accomplishment that led to the creation of Takahashi Park (高橋公園), which is located by Inari Jinja on the castle grounds.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/57cd4511f126dc19f19c8689cf49f49ee31254b4
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240726_26/
Trouble-plagued city tram derails in southern Japan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Local officials are calling the derailment of a tram in the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto an "emergency." The publicly owned tram operator has suffered a series of problems this year.

Kirk here with news about collective punishment in Hitoyoshi.
A few students were late so everyone was made to suffer collective punishment. This became news because the kids (including those who had done nothing wrong) got blisters on their feet from the extreme heat. Personally, I find the the idea of collective punishment itself (which never would have warranted a news article had it not been for the burns) to be about as abhorrent as the idea of making kids run on a hot surface.
--- start ChatGPT translation ---
Middle School in Hitoyoshi City: Students Suffer Burns from Running Barefoot on Poolside Under the Scorching Sun
July 23, 19:09
It has come to light that students at a middle school in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, suffered burns on their feet after being made to run barefoot on the poolside under the scorching sun.
The incident occurred at Hitoyoshi City Daiichi Middle School in Kumamoto Prefecture.
According to the city's Board of Education, on the 19th of this month, some students were late for a swimming class, prompting a physical education teacher in his twenties to hold the entire class of 26 students, including those observing, collectively responsible by making them run on the poolside.
At the time, the students were all barefoot and had to run seven laps around the 25-meter pool under the scorching sun.
The Kumamoto Local Meteorological Observatory reported that the highest temperature in Hitoyoshi City that day was 34.2 degrees Celsius. After the class, 21 students complained of pain in their feet and received treatment in the school infirmary.
Some students had burns with blisters on the soles of their feet, and five of them visited medical facilities.
Following the incident, the school held a briefing session for parents to explain the situation and made home visits to directly apologize to the families of the five students who were severely affected.
The male teacher reportedly stated during the school's inquiry, "My judgment was poor. I am sorry for causing injuries to the students."
Kazuhiro Nishi, the principal of Hitoyoshi City Daiichi Middle School, issued a comment saying, "We deeply apologize for causing physical and mental distress to the students. The entire school will work on preventing a recurrence and improving guidance for the students."
--- end translation ---
人吉市の中学校炎天下のプールサイド走らされ生徒にやけども｜NHK 熊本県のニュース
【NHK】熊本県人吉市の中学校で生徒たちが炎天下のプールサイドをはだしで走らされ一部の生徒が足の裏をやけどしていたことが分かりました。生徒がやけ…

"According to data from the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry, from April 2021 to June 2024, there have been 100 new semiconductor-related investments announced or reported, covering areas such as semiconductor materials and logistics. Among these, TSMC's investment in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, stands out as the largest."
Copied and pasted by Kirk
Official data reveals record investments in Kyushu attracted by TSMC
According to data from the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry, from April 2021 to June 2024, there have been 100 new semiconductor-related investments announced or reported, covering areas such as semiconductor materials and logistics. Among these, TSMC's investment in Kumamoto Prefecture...

Another Suica and Pasmo article. -- Kirk
Kumamoto ditches Japan’s Suica and Pasmo cards for convenient cashless payment system
Starting in 2025, some of Kumamoto Prefecture’s buses and trains will no longer be accepting Suica or Pasmo cards for public transportation fares.

According to this news report, the foreign population living in Kumamoto was 25,121 residents in January of this year -- 4,891 more than the previous year. This represents a 24.2% rise -- the largest rate of increase for any prefecture in Japan. -- Kirk
熊本県に住む外国人は2万5121人増加率全国1位に TSMC進出の影響か | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送
外国人の人口増加率で熊本県が全国1位となったことが明らかになりました。総務省によりますと、今年1月時点で国内に住む日本人は1億2156万人と、去年から86万人減少し、過去最大の減少数と減少率を記録しました。…

Parutama (that big stone ball in front of what used to be Parco) is back. [It had be wrapped up for a while because it was in need of repairs.] -- Kirk
『パル玉』復活の瞬間！4か月の“調整中” 経て34年の歴史が再始動 | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送
「パル玉」の愛称で知られる、熊本市下通りのHAB＠（ハブアット）前にある球体のモニュメント（正式名称「グラニットボール」）。熊本県民の待ち合わせ場所としても親しまれている場所で、水圧によって玉がくるく…

Kirk here. On the one hand, I wonder how long this "history" might be, since all of the earthquakes listed are in fairly recent memory. On the other hand, I think it does show how the Kumamoto earthquake was very notable, not just within Japan, but internationally as well. I was also interested to see that 4 of the top 10 occurred in Japan and that the 2024 Noto earthquake isn't even included (too recent?).
Source: https://www.worldatlas.com/natural-disasters/the-world-s-costliest-earthquakes.html

Fiona here, getting excited about the Paris Olympics which will be starting in just a few days. One Kumamoto-born Olympian to watch out for is Ryotaro Araki from Yamaga who formerly played football for Kumamoto Roasso. Check out his stats and match schedule below.
ARAKI Ryotaro