Kumamoto International Archive

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

This article points out that Kumamoto Castle "with the remarkable grace of 800 cherry trees" is one of the best places in Kyushu to enjoy hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) in March. I know it's cold now but spring is on it's way!
http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/unionpay-introducing-appeal-japans-hospitality-050000876.html
UnionPay: Introducing the Appeal of Japan's Hospitality Culture, Responsible for a Surge in...
TOKYO--(BUSINESSWIRE)-- UnionPay cards have handled over 15 billion yen worth of transactions for tourists visiting Japan as of September of 2013. To commemorate this, UnionPay is running a "UnionPay Accommodation Campaign," (http://www.shopping-guide.co.jp/) in which users can receive the benefit o...

Mute bear caricature gives Japanese press conference
A life-size bear mascot with red cheeks and no voice held a press conference in Tokyo on Friday, the latest public relations coup for the rural Japanese region he represents. "Kumamon", whose name means "Bear-person" in the dialect of Kumamoto, southern Japan, answered questions from among the ranks...

Volvo for sale! If you are interested, contact the seller directly.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/kumamoto-jet/VITQdiYO-WA/U-d6-rUfPW8J

Valentine's Day is almost here. If you'd like to read a short review of Valentine's Day traditions in Japan, click on the following link:
http://tanutech.com/japan/valentine.html

Here's another message from Kumamoto-i that language educators should read:
> A couple of announcements. First, if you
> are looking to present and publish, please
> consider presenting at the JALT PanSIG2014
> conference in Miyazaki. to be held in Miyazaki,
> May 10th and 11th, 2014.
To read the whole message, go to
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12783
10-11 May 2014, Miyazaki Municipal University

Here's a post from the Kumamoto-i mailing list:
> To all martial arts lovers, particularly
> those with a passion for kendo.
> I'm selling a kendo bogu (kendo
> protective gear). The set includes Men,
> Do, Kote, Tare.
> It has been used but still in good conditions.
> Price: 15000 Y
> Hope to hearing from you all.
> Thank you
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12782
If you are interested, you should contact the seller through via e-mail, not here on Facebook.
Yahoo Groups

"Chuo Electric Power Co. has announced that its new geothermal plant in Kumamoto Prefecture will start generating power in April, becoming the first new geothermal facility in 15 years."
http://www.dw.de/japan-digs-deep-for-alternative-energy/a-17416124
By the way, here's a map showing the general location (in Oguni-machi):
https://goo.gl/maps/PQmxb
Japan digs deep for alternative energy | Asia | DW.DE | 07.02.2014
Three years after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Japan's nuclear plants remain mothballed. But as Tokyo struggles to cover the costs of imported oil and petroleum, companies have set their sights on geothermal energy.

Here's a post from the "Kumamoto (熊本)" group:
"Hey all, there is a Social Bee Valentine's Party at JWB Sat 14th from 8pm. It will be great for meeting new people and mingle. "
https://www.facebook.com/groups/34212339774/
Social Bee Events

Today is National Foundation Day. Wikipedia has a nice brief article on the origins of the holiday in State Shinto:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Foundation_Day
Thus, it it should not be surprising that the political right and left commemorate the day in very different ways. This video from RKK shows how today the right (conservatives) commemorated it with patriotic messages and the left held an event to discuss the dangers of new Act on Protection of Specified Secrets.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Secrecy_Law
http://youtu.be/AXIsYeFHBhA

"U.S. Representative Mike Honda [whose grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Kumamoto, Japan] has sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to pay attention to the women who were forced by Japan during World War II to serve as sex slaves to Japanese troops."
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/02/06/2014020601758.html
The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - U.S. Lawmaker Urges Kerry to Act Over...
U.S. Representative Mike Honda has sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to pay attention to the women who were forced by Japan during World War II to serve as sex slaves to Japanese troops.

This occurred, according to the article, in Mifune.
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/02/05/students-go-nearly-a-year-without-textbooks-after-teacher-forgets-to-hand-them-out/
Students go nearly a year without textbooks after teacher forgets to hand them out
It would seem a small case of absentmindedness has been breaking out in educational institutes around Japan recently. One such case in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture saw a handful of students go nearly an entire year without ever receiving some of their “required reading material.” However, in this and...

On our Kumamoto-i mailing list, we've had a recommendation for this onsen (Okuyamaga), which is one of the facilities in Hirayama Onsen:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12775

Japanese lessons for beginners . . .

The new YOKA is out. Here's the introduction from the Kumamoto JET website:
"It's HERE! This YOKA features:
Nagasaki by Erik Smith
Hiking Kumamoto: Mount Gankai by Lander Sims
An Adventure in Immobility by Jon Hughes
Baby's First Oharai & A Chat with the Smiling Girl by Valeria Reyes
Japan's #1 Mascot & Kumamoto Governor Visit Boston & NY by Mark Frey
Photos submissions from Laura McGhee
This YOKA was designed by Valeria Reyes."
http://kumamotojet.com/documents/THEYOKA_WINTER2014_3.pdf

I accidentally posted this in my own name . . .
"I posted about the testing of these vehicles in Kumamoto the other day (the 29th). This photo shows one of the solar-powered chargers they use."
Honda MC-Î² will use solar-powered chargers in 'micro' EV tests
Honda will start testing the MC-beta EV with solar-powered electric-vehicle charging systems in Japan.

No more Skymark flights between Haneda and Kumamoto:
http://akihabaranews.com/2014/02/04/article-en/terries-take-startups-tokyos-tie-chapter-sales-tax-skymark-stem-cells-and
Terrie's Take: Startups & Tokyo's TiE Chapter, Sales Tax, Skymark, Stem Cells, and Nuclear Intrigue
Terrie’s Take is a selection of Japanese-centric news collected and collated by long-time resident and media business professional Terrie Lloyd. AkihabaraNews is pleased to present Terrie’s learned perspective; we all could use another take on the news - here’s Terrie’s:• • •Terrie’s Take on Februar...

According to the following article, this group is coming to Kumamoto (Tamana?):
http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_25049967/honeybee-trio-vacaville-perform-locally-before-touring-japan
http://youtu.be/Mch6omtVH0U
Honey Bee Trio-Boogie Woogie
Music video by Honey Bee Trio performing Boogie Woogie. © 2013 Corinthian Productions.

Here are some inquiries from the Kumamoto-i mailing list:
Where to buy Imported deodorants and perfumes?
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12771
Any money from Singapore?
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12772
If possible, please respond on the mailing list. Thanks!
Yahoo Groups

"In the series, children are called 'post' and 'locker' for the places where they left by their mothers." Some of my students saw the first episode and told me that they thought it was pretty awful.
The "post" "nickname" refers to the "akachan post" (baby drop-off hatch) at Jikei Hospital. The hatch was begun in an attempt to save the lives of newborns that might otherwise be abandoned. It is the only such facility in Japan that I know of at this writing. I find the idea of making a TV show that seems to affirm the stigmatization of children for having been left anonymously at Jikei Hospital repulsive.
To see how Nihon Terebi presents their drama (in Japanese) go to
http://www.ntv.co.jp/ashitamama/story/index.html
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kumamoto:-Catholic-hospital-against-TV-series-that-discriminates-against-abandoned-children-30189.html
JAPAN Kumamoto: Catholic hospital against TV series that discriminates against abandoned...
Jikei Hospital leads the fight for life and the defence of children. In 2006, despite government opposition, it installed a

Here's a video about students in Aso who bred white strawberries.
http://youtu.be/GcOvTfE_e30
白いイチゴに夢を託して～『あその小雪』・高校生たちの挑戦～　Entrusting dreams to White Strawberry
全国有数のイチゴの産地・熊本県。 2012年、阿蘇の高校生たちが、珍しい「白いイチゴ」の品種開発に成功しました。「あその小雪」と名付けられ、地域の特産として大切に育てられているこのイチゴには、次世代の農業を担う高校生たちの夢と希望が詰まっています。 Entrusting dreams to White Stra...