Kumamoto International Archive

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

We had a discussion about this on the Kumamoto-i mailing list after this article came out:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/search/messages?query=microaggression
Yes, I can use chopsticks: the everyday 'microaggressions' that grind us down | The Japan Times
Have you ever noticed how many interpersonal interactions in Japan are like "speed dates" of set questions? For example, the taxi drivers who have the odd

"Cuteness overload" has been a topic of discussion on this page. Here's a fairly long CNN article on the topic.
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/12/world/asia/osaka-mascot-cull/
Japanese cuteness overload could result in mascot cull
In the face of an army of cartoon characters, some Japanese officials are concerned the public is facing a cuteness overload.

Not a Kumamoto native, but she did it here!
http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/15-year-old-katsu-rewrites-golf-history
15-year-old Katsu rewrites golf history
KIKUYO, Kumamoto - She noshed on rice balls and chatted casually with her caddie during breaks in the action. When she needed some motivation, she would sing "Rokko Oroshi," the fight song for the Hanshin Tigers, to herself.These were hardly the type of actions that would indicate a player was on he…

I know, I know. "Not another Kumamon photo!" But wait! This is different. Here Kumamon has charged (?) into the editorial offices Shueisha, which produces the manga Shonen Jump to complain about copyright infringement! Shueisha used images of Kumamon in the latest issue of Shonen Jump without getting approval and the prefecture lodged an official complaint.
For a Japanese news article see:
http://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20140515002.xhtml

Song 'Kumamon-mon-mon' with English subtitles
Kumamon is a mascot created by the government of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

Spanish speakers should enjoy this!
http://youtu.be/PDcYLNAIjvY
Vida | Detective Cultural - Akinee no nantoka!
Akinee no nantoka! Capítulo 06: Vida Segmento: Detective Cultural, por Hisae --- CRÉDITOS Conducción y Dirección: Hisae Suguimitzu Edición: Hisae Suguimitzu ...

It's been a while since I posted about Biggi, my favorite Bakery, so I decided to introducing. If you live anywhere near Obiyama (in Kumamoto City), check it out! In addition to being delicious, all of the breads are free of transfats -- something that is quite unusual in Japan.

Kumamon (and the idea that "'Too cute' exists, even in Japan") makes the Guardian's "10 things we learned this week" list.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/09/10-things-we-learned-this-week
10 things we learned this week
From PM's thoughts on not quitting to Michelle Obama's TV ubiquity and cuteness overload in Osaka – a roundup of the week's news

Takachiho: Gods and gorges in divine Miyazaki | The Japan Times
The already cloudy sky darkens perceptibly as our car descends into Takachiho Gorge. This area of extreme scenic beauty — carved out of the earth by

Mandy Bartok has written several articles for the Japan Times about interesting places to visit in Kumamoto and other parts of Kyushu.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/int-mandy_bartok/
Mandy Bartok - The Japan Times
Mandy Bartok currently lives in Kyushu, and she has been a Japan Times contributor since 2009. When not chasing after her exuberant toddler, she blogs about Japan for travelers at ...

Kumamoto is "a lesser-known part of southern Japan"? No way! All my friends know about it!
http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/east-asia/story/cuddly-mascots-set-the-chop-japan-20140508
Cuddly mascots set for the chop in Japan
Kumamon, a clumsy bear mascot of Kumamoto prefecture attends a food products event to promote products from Kumamoto prefecture in Tokyo on Feb 23, 2014. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP

Kumamon rules! Lesser yurukyara get the ax . . .
"This month a Tokyo jeweller unveiled a gold figurine of the bear worth 100m yen (£580,000) Kumamon has 339,000 followers on Twitter, 159,000 "likes" on his official Facebook page and last year entertained the emperor and empress during their visit to Kumamoto prefecture."
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/08/moppy-mascot-japan-cull-cuddly-ambassadors
Moppy the mascot survives Japan's cull of cuddly ambassadors
Bird-like promotional character to become Osaka's core representative but fellow mascots face mass extermination

Kumamoto ends chicken transportation ban
The Kumamoto prefectural government removed the last remaining measure to prevent the spread of avian influenza in the southwestern Japan prefecture Wednesday midnight.

Godzilla once attacked Kumamoto Castle. But don't worry. I don't think that's likely to happen again. If you are interested in Godzilla, though, you may enjoy this recent podcast from NPR (the U.S. public radio network).
http://www.npr.org/2014/05/02/308955584/the-making-of-godzilla-japans-favorite-mon-star
If you like the "Making of" interview, you may also want to hear this analysis about why Godzilla has remained fairly popular for so long:
http://www.npr.org/2014/05/02/308934760/movie-monsters-monster-movies-and-why-godzilla-endures
The Making Of 'Godzilla,' Japan's Favorite 'Mon-Star'
Steve Ryfle is the author of a book about the making of the film and its many sequels. He spoke to Fresh Air in 2004, on the film's 50th anniversary.

Not specific to Kumamoto to probably of interest to many readers of this page -- especially those of us that seem destined for more scrutiny:
"The system will be applied only for Japanese nationals. By cutting back time and the workforce necessary to check the departures and entries of Japanese, the ministry aims to use the extra resources to reinforce checks on foreign nationals."
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001246486
Airport testing for facial recognition slated - The Japan News
The Justice Ministry is aiming to experimentally introduce a facial recognition system to identify Japanese people starting in August to speed up the immigration control process at airports.

Wi-Fi expanded for travelers in Japan
Domestic transportation operators are broadening wireless Internet access at train stations and on airplanes, in response to widespread use of smartphones and strong demand from foreign tourists.

Here's the English explanation from Mr. Yagi of the Kumamoto International Foundation:
KIF holds the world issue awareness seminar on Sunday 25 May (14:00 - 16:00) at KCIC (Main hall).
Ghanian Musician Mr. Yao Ofei Amoabeng is going to be the special guests performer, and also make his rich presentation about a history for the farmer, actually his father, in Ghana to have been independent with the power to cultivate the land to fertile farm land.
Then, will be connected to talk with the people there in Ghana via skype.
Music - Mother Africa
Talk - Agriculture in Ghana (how they could be independent to cultivate their land.)
Live video conference via Skype
Yao's official site is as follows:
http://www.yaoyokohama.com/
The application will start from May 1 by phone to KIF 096-359-2121
Yao Ofei Amoabeng
Home page of Yao Ofei Amoabeng

This video about Tsuetate Onsen (in the Oguni area, north of Aso) is in Japanese but the YouTube page includes the following English explanation:
"Located in Oguni-machi Aso, the Tsuetate-Onsen Hot Springs have a 1800-year history.
Thanks to its exquisite spring quality, the area has flourished as a Hot-Spring resort since old times.
In recent years, it is winning popularity with modern twists on nostalgia- such as a retro back-alley tour guided by the local people, a revived regional sweets (puddings), and NEO TOJI, a new style hot spring therapy."
http://youtu.be/Wa1kZG36sDI
温故知新・杖立温泉の挑戦！　Taking Lessons From the Past　-The Challenge of the Tsuetate-Onsen Hot Springs-
阿蘇郡小国町の杖立温泉は、1800年もの歴史がある温泉地。泉質の良さで古くから湯治場として栄えてきました。近年は、地元住民が昔ながらの路地裏を案内したり、地域伝承のお菓子（プリン）を復活させたり、「Neo湯治」を始めたりして、昔からあるものを現代風にアレンジした楽しみ方で人気を呼んでいます。 Taking Les...

Ezuko Festa and picnic
Date: May 10th from 3 pm to 5:30 pm
Place: Kami-Ezuko Area “Minna no hiroba”
Cost: free
Maximum: 30 people
For details go to:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/kumamoto-jet/pr6uCx7LY78/6bOoDEI5dN4J

There have been quite a few monkey sightings in Kumamoto City recently. They are wild animals and can be dangerous so don't do any of the following:
* Approach
* Make eye contact
* Show or give food
* Threaten (yell at, make a threatening gesture, etc) or torment in any way
By the way, the image is from several years ago but there were sightings this morning.
http://www.news24.jp/articles/2010/02/22/07154010.html