Kumamoto International Archive

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

For anime fans and anime song fans.
Anime song event information , 26 May, Kumamoto.
Atsuko＼(*⌒0⌒)♪
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
ANINOVA
Date and time: 26 May 2024 (Sunday)
12:00 Opening.
12:30 START～19:00 END
Entrance fee: 2000 yen (all-you-can-drink soft drinks!)
Chocolate fountain free!
Minors and first time attendees of Anikura are also welcome!
All ages are welcome!
Junior high and high school students: 500 yen!
Free for primary schools students and younger! (with a parent or guardian).
Alcoholic beverages can be ordered at the bar counter for a fee.
Food and sweets will be sold at the Marché. You can bring your own food and sweets to the venue after purchase.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/k4AmHKKdNFPTqPo8/
🎉🌟Omoken Marché 20🌟🎉
✨Aninova collaboration✨.
The last Sunday of every month is Omoken Marche Day.
The Aninova Collaboration will be held for anime song lovers. DJs from all over Kyushu will gather in Kumamoto to showcase their live skills. The Omoken Marche 20 will be held on the same day as the anime song event, where you can sing and dance to your heart's content. 24 shops will be participating in a wide variety of shops! Enjoy the delicious 😋 and fun 😃 at-home atmosphere of the Marche to the fullest!
Date and time.
26 May (10:00-17:00)
(12:00-19:00 for Ani Nobua)
■Place: Starlight Cafe Kumamoto
(7-95-3 Demizu, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture)
Reconstruction (Light) Department Store #Amaterasu
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qk5n4HprTpFrQPDf8?g_st=ic
Check out Aninova's ▶️ for more information!
twipla.jp/events/598571
'The last Sunday of every month is Omoken Marche day'
Omoken Marché
https://facebook.com/events/s/%E3%81%8A%E3%82%82%E3%81%91%E3%82%93%E3%83%9E%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B7%E3%82%A720-%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%8E%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A1%E3%82%B3%E3%83%A9%E3%83%9B/1084256056013087/

Joe Tomei here with FFF as we go by the Prefectural University of Kumamoto and introduce two places.
The first is nice little cafe just across from the uni, behind the AU store on the corner called Cafe Puu (https://www.instagram.com/puucafe/) The couple does sandwiches and curry lunches, along with coffee. Parking is a bit troublesome, but if you are at the uni or the Red Cross hospital, it's just across the street.
The second place is Po Po Po Shokudo (https://www.instagram.com/popopo2021.1/), which is 600 meters down from from the university on Joshidai dori, across from the Higo Ginkgo parking lot which you can use and get a parking card if you eat there. I had passed it a number of times and it had a high school bunkasai feel with red and white plastic tableclothes and foldup tables and chairs, and wondered what the deal was, so gave it a try and I have to say, it is off the hook. The owner is a former pâtissier and all the food there is made with great attention to detail. For the lunches that have rice, you can get a onsen tamago (soft boiled egg) And on Sundays, he does ramen (very well, I might add). It's often full up, so you want to get their early.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Moisson (https://www.instagram.com/moisson.kumamoto/), a bakery across from the West gate of the University. Where you go if Puu and Po po po are full.
A little note about the history of the area, this was where the airport was in Kumamoto from 1960 until 1969, when construction started on the Aso-Kumamoto airport, which was completed in 1971. The field was known as Kengun field and as one might expect, the location of that airfield was intially related to military matters, with the Jieitai base formerly a Mitsubishi airplane factory. In fact, not only was the airfield the launch point for Tokutai/Kamikaze flights against Okinawa at the end of the war, it also was the jumping off spot for the raid at Yontan airfield in Okinawa, shortly after Okinawa campaign started. At the time, the area was originally known as Takamiya-so, but came to be called Kengun, expanding from the original Kengun, probably because of the military industries in the area. Looking for information, I came across this 1964 picture of a plane and a boy who is probably my age at the time and so could still be living in Kumamoto. (link below)
One page (link 4) had picture of where the airfield was, which I've included. Matching up with Google maps, this is the area that begins at the new Starbucks, up the Kokutai doro until the Mister Donuts on the corner. You can still find a few of the concrete structures that were part of the airfield on the left side of the street. Also, on the photo is marked 熊本鉄工団地 [Kumamoto Ironworks Complex], which is still an ongoing concern, with the name changed to Shin Nippon Stainless [新日本ステンレス工業鉄工団地].
Because FB only allows 2 links, the historical information is here if anyone wants to follow up
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_on_Yontan_Airfield
2. https://wjon3117.medium.com/operation-gi-the-japanese-attack-on-yontan-airbase-okinawa-d1fa340b0e3d
3. https://flyteam.jp/photo/3064736
4. http://hikokikumo.net/a8502-01-Kengun-F86F-000.htm

Here's some sad news about a local bonsai artist becoming the victim of a major heist. If you are interested in bonsai, the Japanese name and address should help you find the place:
雅松園
〒861-3203 熊本県上益城郡御船町高木3242-1
Some of the most valuable items have been stolen but I would guess that there are still plenty of more reasonably priced pieces, and I'm sure they would appreciate getting more business. -- Kirk
Bonsai thefts rise around Japan, as demand remains strong overseas | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
MIFUNE, Kumamoto Prefecture—Thefts of bonsai trees have surged around Japan, leading to tens of millions of yen in losses and fears among infuriated growers that their prized plants are being sold overseas.

Kirk here with another helicopter crash update (apologies to those who are not interested).
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3262615/2-hongkongers-among-3-seriously-injured-japan-after-helicopter-makes-crash-landing

A possible third TSMC fab (semiconductor fabrication plant) in Kumamoto? -- Kirk
--- quote ---
Kumamoto’s newly appointed governor, Takashi Kimura, who took office in April, stated in an report from Bloomberg on May 11th that he would spare no effort to persuade TSMC to establish a third fab in the region.
--- end quote ---
Correction: The governor was elected, not "appointed."
[News] Kumamoto Vying for TSMC’s Third Fab, Looking to Build Semiconductor Hub | TrendForce Insights
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has planned to build two fabs in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Kumamoto's newly appointed governor, Ta...

Kirk here with a follow-up to yesterday's post about the helicopter accident. Here's an article in English:
--- quote ---
Two Hong Kong tourists were injured when sightseeing at Japan's largest active volcano after their helicopter made an emergency landing due to engine failure. Japanese media reported that the helicopter was carrying two passengers from Hong Kong to Aso Volcano in Kumamoto...
--- end quote
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/sections-news-print/262773/Two-Hongkongers-hurt-after-volcano-copter%27s-engine-fails
The picture was taken from here:
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1166414?display=1

Kirk here with a a Claude (AI service) translation about a helicopter accident in Aso:
---- start translation ----
Around noon on the 13th, a sightseeing helicopter made an emergency landing in Aso City, leaving a total of three men and women, including the pilot and passengers, with serious and minor injuries. Although the fuselage of the helicopter that made the emergency landing remains intact, parts of the tail rotor are scattered, telling the magnitude of the impact.
[TV Nishinippon reporter Kenta Sato, from the heliport] "This is above Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture. A helicopter can be seen making an emergency landing in an open space. A white sheet has been placed over the aircraft."
Just after noon on the 13th, a call was made to the fire department reporting that "a sightseeing helicopter had an engine failure in mid-air and made an emergency landing" near the nursing home facility 'Miyamasou' in Kurokawa, Aso City.
It is reported that there were a total of three people on board the helicopter: one man in his 50s, the pilot, and two men and women in their 30s, believed to be tourists from Hong Kong with Chinese nationality.
According to the fire department, the male pilot suffered a suspected pelvic fracture and is in serious condition, while the male and female passengers complained of pain in their chests and backs and were taken to the hospital. They are conscious.
According to the company operating the helicopter, the aircraft that made the emergency landing was a sightseeing helicopter heading from the nearby theme park 'Aso Cuddly Dominion' to the crater of Mt. Nakadake in Aso.
The sightseeing helicopter took off around 11:50 a.m. and was scheduled to fly for about 7 minutes, but it made an emergency landing on a grassland 300 to 400 meters away from its intended destination.
This is the footage from an information camera installed at Kusasenri just before noon on the 13th.
On the right side of the screen, a helicopter can be seen heading from the direction of Mt. Eboshidake toward Mt. Nakadake and turning north.
Although the footage alone cannot identify the aircraft as the one involved in the accident, it matches the scheduled time and flight route of the accident aircraft.
No signs of trouble can be confirmed from the footage.
[Staff of a nearby facility] "At the time, the sound of the helicopter was louder than usual. It didn't particularly feel like it had crashed. I never thought it would crash."
According to the company operating the sightseeing helicopter, "no abnormalities were found during the pre-flight inspection."
The person in charge also stated that the cause of the emergency landing "may have been engine trouble."
---- end translation ----
https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/698622

Sorry to not get out of Kengun yet, but I need to share some info about tram terminus in Kengun. It ends at Piacres covered shopping street. Back in the day, Japanese sararimans (sararimen?) would stop there to have drinks before going home. However, that culture has disappeared and so the area is changing with a number of food places and here are a couple of them.
After getting off the tram, cross the intersection and go left up the big street and on your right is Si-Sa, one of the two Okinawan restaurants I know of in town (the other is Nuchigusui, at the end of Kamitori and up the street, you can recognize it from the Orion sign)
Si-sa is a family favorite, and a couple of times we have been there, there has been some live sanshin music. Our set order is goya champuru, soki soba and taco rice and, if we are really hungry, the spare ribs. The picture is from google maps.
Going right from the tram terminus, there's a new place for Bahn Mi, a Vietnamese sandwich that is based on a French baguette, but softer in the middle. It's a culinary marvel and the bahn mi at Conny's Bahn Mi really deliver. He also sells the Bahn Mi rolls if you are looking to make your own. https://www.instagram.com/connys_banhmi/
You may have noticed that I've outsourced the food photography to the missus, though the out of focus shots are yours truly. Conny's is located just off the covered shopping street next to the SunLive grocery store.
We were out that way last Saturday, but he was at an event at the TKU housing plaza. There was a new restaurant selling abura soba, Menya Daisen (https://www.instagram.com/menyadaisen.2008/), with quite the line in front. I'm still not convinced by abura soba, since the best thing about Japanese noodles is the soup, but my wife had seen on instagram a place selling musubi onigiri. Unfotunately, it was closed, but the next door place had takoyaki. All three places seem ideal for getting some food and then walking straight out of the covered mall to the large park at Shimo Ezuko, about 15 minutes.
The vending machine is not related to any of the shop, but felt like I had to toss it in, it sells Kumamoto Tonsoku (pig feet)
The FFF google map is at
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing

I suspect I'm much more interested in this issue that 99% of the readers of this page but, nonetheless, here's another article on the developing story. I found last night's 報道ステーション (Hodo Station) to be particularly informative. There's a good deal I might say but I've got other things to attend to so I'll just offer this article for now. -- Kirk
Ito apologizes to Minamata patients for dead mic controversy | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Environment Minister Shintaro Ito apologized directly to representatives of a group of Minamata disease patients on May 8 for ministry staff cutting off their microphones during a discussion to collect their input.

Kirk here with a Minamata related article, similar in content to what I posted on Friday. Here's a quote from the article:
--- quote ---
When Ito was asked about the various individuals whose speaking time was cut off, he said, “I did not believe the mike had been turned off.”
--- end quote ---
I remember that the word he used in Japanese was "認識する" (ninshiki; be or become aware of). I wasn't there but, from the video, everyone else seemed to be aware of what was going on so why couldn't he figure out was happening?
But on a more positive side "he said another opportunity would be set up because it was difficult to hear everything at one meeting." Good. I hope he follows through.
Minamata victims ‘silenced’ during meeting with minister Ito | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
MINAMATA, Kumamoto Prefecture--A meeting between sufferers of Minamata disease and the environment minister ended in uproar because government underlings switched off the microphone when participants exceeded their allotted speaking time.

Atsuko with Hitoyoshi Enjoy information for those who go to Hitoyoshi to buy papaya.
Recommendation①.
The cool Sekisuiji Temple, decorated with wind chimes. You can write your wishes on wind chimes and folded paper cranes and dedicate them. It is said that if you stroke the stroking Buddha and make a request, the bad part of your body will be cured. I saw banana flowers in the car park for the first time. Hitoyoshi seriously interesting.
https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/s/xFPwyS41jkR5FgXD9
Recommendation②.
Spicy ramen shops. I ate 8x; if you finish 50x, your name will be left behind.
辛麺屋ひとよし
0966-24-8726
https://g.co/kgs/zizN1t6
Recommendation③
Craft experience at Roadside Station Hitoyoshi and Craft Park. I made a glass necklace. It's easy and fun.
Craft park
https://h--craftpark-com.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
Until 30 June, there is also a Hitoyoshi Reconstruction Discount, which reduces the cost of accommodation.
While you are getting papaya, please also enjoy supporting Hitoyoshi's recovery.

Hitoyoshi Reconstruction Campaign
https://hitoyoshionsen.net/2024_hitoyoshi_reconstruction_cp/

William Of concern has been traffic considerations on the narrow roads connecting to the new TSMC and related facilities. Kumanichi reports on the popularity (?) of new express bus routes. Many Silicon Valley (セミコン in Japanese) companies also provide their own buses Once on a train in San Jose, I attempted conversation with a seatmate only to be castigated, "Can't you see I'm WORKING?!" Such is the life of IT employees.
「セミコン通勤バス」利用者急増　TSMCの菊陽進出で高まる役割　23年度は1.6倍の26万人｜熊本日日新聞社
　菊陽町のJR原水駅と半導体企業の工業団地セミコンテクノパークを結ぶ通勤バスが、台湾積体電路製造（TSMC）の進出を機に役割を高めている。2023年度の利用者数は、増便の効果で前年度の1・6倍に急増した。町は慢性化す...

Atsuko here.
GW Outing Recommendation.
How about a pizza making and eating experience with your friends?
Usually reservations are required and only available for groups, but for one day every GW, you can experience it with a small group without reservations.
The view from the top of the MISUMI mountain is great. The owner is particular about making pizzas with prefectural flour and handmade bacon.
Both children and adults can enjoy it. Pizza 700 yen, rice balls 100 yen, delicious.
I can't go this year due to other commitments, but please give my best wishes to the owner.(｡•̀ᴗ-)و ̑̑✧
https://taiken-miyata-mobi.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

May 5, 2024 ,ONLY
Time: 10:00~15:00 (order stop at 14:00)
Menu: Pizza (700 yen), rice balls (100 yen), roasted marshmallows, hakama rice We also offer a rice cooking experience service.
• Number of people: Available for 1 person or more. (No reservation required)
*Promotion ends as soon as pizza dough runs out. note that.
Map, telephone
食と農の体験塾
090-2583-8060
https://g.co/kgs/bqrbS8P

Sean here.
File under: Teens are alright.
A follow up to a previous post.
It is great to see local media celebrating teens and all the understated contributions they make every day.
This event will continue until tomorrow. Head down to Shimotori and let your trash vote for you.

Kirk here. The elderly gentleman you see was describing the suffering of his mother, who died from Minamata disease, to Ito Shintaro, Minister of the Environment, when he was prompted to "wrap it up" (matomete) by a ministry bureaucrat. Not particularly nice but sort of understandable given the need to limit each speaker to three minutes that had been conveyed earlier. But, what came next was something that has really made lots of people (including me) angry. Seconds after the gentleman began to try to conclude his short presentation, his mic was cut.
Moreover, he was not the only victim; at least one other gentleman's mic was also cut off mid-sentence. Then, a ministry bureaucrat tried to say that what happened was "inadvertent" (futegiwa). If a mute switch gets hit once, that might be "inadvertent" but when you do it twice (or more?) at the same three-minute point, that's different; it may be a "bad decision" (to handle it that way) or a "mistake" (to be so incredibly insensitive) but it's not "inadvertent."
An hour or two earlier, Minister Ito had actually recognized and apologized for the government's failure to prevent Chisso from poisoning the people of Minamata. In response, some said that the apology was a step in the right direction but that the Ministry needs to actually take steps to help the victims. I feel like the Ministry, despite Minister Ito's words, showed their true colors by cutting off the mics of the patients and family member. That behavior is more consistent with the historical stance of the Ministry than Minister Ito's apology.
By the way, another point that came up in the meeting with the patients and family members was the failure of the government to do a proper survey of people living in affected areas to determine the health impacts on people who have not come forward to be certified as patients. The response of the Minister was something like "we're thinking about taking steps to begin getting ready to form a committee to decide when we might be able to start considering such a survey" (only slightly exaggerated). The phrase "justice delayed is justice denied" comes to mind. The Ministry has been delaying the start of such a survey for decades (the better part of a century, depending on how you look at it).
All of this illustrates how horrible treatment of Minamata disease patients is not a historical issue; it's ongoing.
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/1149996?display=1

Atsuko(｡•̀ᴗ-)و ̑̑✧
Joe asked for the location of the Papaya and Watermelon Market, so here is some additional information.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/kmQ3HQKExNLdzKpc/
Hitoyoshi Super Kid is here.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ti8kBKV4qF5TaTpV9
There were yellow papayas and green papayas this morning too. White strawberries, boiled (scrubbed) bamboo shoots, yuzu miso (It is delicious to eat cucumber and cabbage dipped in this miso.) and yuzu pepper are also recommended. The best recommendation is onigiri wrapped in pickled takana (instead of nori). These are really tasty. I want people who like the taste of spring takana to try it.
By the way, when you go to Hitoyoshi from Kumamoto city, do you know that you will lose money if you go directly to Hitoyoshi by Highway?
Now, from Yasushiro to Hitoyoshi is ''Free of charge''. Therefore, when you go to Hitoyoshi from Kumamoto, it is a hassle, but you go from Kumamoto City to the Yatsushiro Interchange, exit the Yatsushiro Interchange onto a public road, and from the public road again enter the Yatsushiro Interchange to go to Hitoyoshi. That alone will cost you more than 1000 yen less. 2350 yen becomes 1310 yen.
ONLY the motorway toll between Yatsushiro and Hitoyoshi is free.
Meanwhile, the watermelon market in Mashiki is here.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pV1wkWRCb3ZD4McP8
On Tuesday this week, several foreign visitors came, and they were all happy to see international guests. Unfortunately, due to the rain, they could not harvest the watermelons and could not sell them, but they are all waiting for the next chance. The local ladies and gentlemen of Mashiki do not speak English, but they welcome foreigners. Please make friends with them and get tea, sweets, tastings and souvenirs.

Joe Tomei here. While strolling down from Tatomiya cafe and the Kohaku ramen shop is Chez Tani, a sweets shop. As I mentioned before, many shops in Kumamoto are linked and Chez Tani is another example. Today, we'll talk about the Ezuko branch
https://www.chez-tani.com/shop/ezu/
but there are six other branches, all worthy of Funky Friday Find status.
[ed.] Just went to Tatomiya today and just down from that is a new curry place called トルネード. Also, the parking lot across the street is public, so park there, though be careful crossing the street!
The Funky Friday Finds map is here
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing
Friday Funky Finds for Kuma-i - Google My Maps
All of the Friday Funky Finds are here! If you find a place has gone out of business or moved, please drop me a line through the facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/ New spots (circa 2024) will be marked in red, if it has closed, it will be marked in black.

Kirk here. I saw a notice in my Google news feed for "熊本" (Kumamoto) and "外国人" (foreigners) about this opening of a Kumamoto branch of GTN (Global Trust Networks). The translation on their website says "GTN, foreigners support organization, to launch on May 1st Kumamoto branch opened ~ Supporting coexistence with foreigners in Kumamoto, a semiconductor booming region, and further expanding regional revitalization～". Even after looking at the website for a while, I'm still not exactly sure what they do but it would seem that, in part at least, they function as a recruitment agency or temporary staffing agency that specializes in foreigners. Their arrival in Kumamoto seems to be connected to the arrival of TSMC.
5月1日、GTN熊本支店OPENのお知らせ | GTN | 株式会社グローバルトラストネットワークス
グローバルトラストネットワークス（GTN）のニュースカテゴリ「5月1日、GTN熊本支店OPENのお知らせ」のページです。

Sean here:
File under: Kids are alright.
Raku san, a local teen, with out of the box solutions to a global problem - trash.
Trash Gets Fun!
Dispose of trash with trivia questions in this playful event.
It’s from May 3rd to 5th at Shimotori, mark your calendars!
Participate, have fun, and show your love for the planet!
⁡
📣GWは下通で楽しくゴミを捨てちゃおう📣
⁡
楽が @goodlife_on_earth で取り組んでいる
プロジェクト【ポイ投票】。
「ポイ捨て」と「投票」をかけ合わせた言葉です。
⁡
2つのゴミ箱と看板を設置し
思わず投票したくなるような二択クイズを用意。
ゴミを捨てることで投票に参加してもらいます。
⁡
投票形式のゴミ箱があれば、ゴミをポイ捨てせず
ゴミ箱に捨てたくなるのではないか。
そんな発想から生まれたプロジェクトです。
⁡
この企画の肝は「ゴミを捨てる」という行為を
楽しめるものとして再定義したこと。
投票という遊び心のある行動に置き換えることで
気軽に参加してもらい
環境問題について考えるきっかけを提供する
とてもユニークで面白い取り組みです。
⁡
心理学を応用して、ゴミ捨てを「やらなくちゃ」から
「やりたい」に変えていく。
彼が小学生の頃に思いついたアイディアを
GLE の力を借りて形にしました。
⁡
そしてこの度、下通繁栄会のご協力を得て
GW中の5月3日〜5月5日の3日間
熊本市中心街・下通にて
社会実装に向けた実験を行います。
⁡
お近くをお通りの際は
ぜひお立ち寄り・応援お願いします😘
そして偶然にもゴミをお持ちであれば
ぜひご参加いただけると幸いです😂
⁡
⁡
【ポイ投票】社会実験 2024 GW
期間: 2024.5.3〜5.5
時間: 11am〜7pm
場所: 熊本市中央区下通
内容: 二択クイズの投票形式でゴミを捨てる社会実験
目的: 楽しくゴミを捨て、環境問題への関心を高める
⁡
【参加方法】
1. 熊本市中心街・下通にあるイベント会場へお越しください。
2. 3ヶ所に設置された2つのゴミ箱と看板をご確認ください。
3. それぞれのゴミ箱に書かれた二択クイズから、自分が支持する答えを選びましょう。
4. 選んだゴミ箱にゴミを捨ててください。
5. 落ちてるゴミを拾って投票してもOK！手が汚れないようマジックハンドをご用意します。
6. 投票結果は翌日のゴミ箱及び @lalajoy._gle で発表します（フォローお願い❤️）。
⁡
【注意事項】
・ゴミは分別して捨ててください。
・煙草の吸い殻は絶対に捨てないでください！
・家庭ゴミの持ち込みはご遠慮ください。
・ゴミ箱周辺は綺麗に保ってください。
・イベントは天候等により中止する場合があります。
・その他、詳細は会場スタッフにお尋ねください。

Kirk here with more architectural news:
"Hotakubo Housing was completed in 1991, the first housing complex built under Kumamoto Prefecture’s Kumamoto Artpolis project. There are a total of 110 units, of which 89 are currently occupied."
Pritzker Prize Laureate Shows Thoughts on Families and Communities Through Housing Architecture
KUMAMOTO — Hotakubo Housing, a housing complex in Kumamoto City, is the first work of Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto. The housing units offer a glimpse into how this year’s U.S. Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate views the social nature of architecture.