Kumamoto International Archive

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

Joe Tomei here with a cruciferous vegetable request. I am trying to find some Brussels sprouts, ideally fresh, but frozen would work. I have seen them at 八百健 (map link here https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJeB2mFcDutNzed16 )
a neat little store that sells vegetables and fruit that don't match up to the 'perfect' size/shape etc at very reasonable prices. I'll check by later, but if anyone has seen them in town, please let me know in a comment here!
理容オリエント · 3 Chome-1-60 Toroku, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 862-0970, Japan

Atsuko with deals and interesting information.
Tickets to anywhere in Kyushu during the winter holidays for 100 yen!
Unfortunately, it is only for elementary school students and under, but still a very good deal. It will be a good experience.
If you have an adult with them, you can use the 青春18切符 Seishun 18 ticket together.You can buy and use Seisyun 18 ticket over 18, me, you, any age.
It seems that the buses in the city will be free on the 23rd. I recommend this as well.
Hope you enjoy Kumamoto and Kyushu.(Ü)ﾉ"
こどもぼうけんきっぷ /for kids
https://www-jrkyushu-co-jp.translate.goog/railway/bouken/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
青春18切符/ for adult
https://railway-jr--central-co-jp.translate.goog/tickets/youth18-ticket/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Children's Adventure Ticket
100 yen per day
Validity period
Can be used for 1 day
child
Children under 6th grade
(Children can also use it alone.)
*Customers who are infants (1-6 years old (preschoolers)) or infants (0-1 years old)
There is no need to purchase a ticket when boarding the train, but in the following cases
You will need to request a ticket.
① When an “infant” travels alone
② The number of “infants” accompanying one “adult” or “child” is 2.
If more than one person
③ When an "infant" or "infant" uses a reserved seat, green seat, etc. alone.

Sean here,
Does anybody have any recommendations or personal experience with the purchasing or renting of water dispensers/coolers?
I am not interested in water service, as Kumamoto water is the best.
However, I like the convenience of having hot and or cold water on demand.
Thanks.

Sean here,
reporting from the “I read it on the Internet, so it must be true” desk
Tokyo's PAWSitive Touch offers a unique experience: dog-on-dog massage therapy.
Picture a fluffy Shiba Inu kneading a nervous Chihuahua while a Basset Hound dispenses wisdom through barks.
Canine Zen awaits stressed pups, from Jack Russell deep tissue to pampered pug cucumber masks.
It's not your typical spa, but if you're ready for tail-wagging joy and canine camaraderie,
PAWSitive Touch is the place to be.

Kirk here, trying to get back to the issue of Higo Bank demanding that many foreign residents appear at one of their banks with documents in hand to identify themselves.
A meeting that Mr. Nakashima of Kumustaka and I had with a bank representative helped me understand their position a bit better, though there are still many important questions left unanswered.
In regard to the question of why they would be asking people who have been here a long time (especially those with permanent residency) to appear, it seems that before 2018 they had not been collecting the information they are now required to collect. So, that would seem to explain -- to some extent, at least -- why old-timers would be hauled in, but there are many issues that cannot be clarified so easily. I've done very little at this point but Mr. Nakashima is continuing to work on these questions, going as far as to contact the relevant government authorities to get their official explanations regarding various points of contention.
In the meantime, if you do not feel you can comply with the bank's demands please contact them, either in writing or by phone, to request an alternative method of giving them the information they need. The Higo Bank representative indicated a willingness to be flexible in response to requests for special consideration.
One thing I learned as a result of our discussion is that Japan has been under pressure from and international organization called the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to reduce the risk of money laundering (see
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14430373). Similar demands for reform have been made on many countries, including the United States. But, we suspect that Japan may be somewhat unique (?) in targeting foreign residents in order to show that it is working to reduce the risk of money laundering. The text in the image I've added is from an FAQ put out by the government and clearly indicates that banks like Higo should verify the visa status of customers (CDD = Customer Due Diligence). But, FATF documents I have looked at thus far don't seem to say anything about the need to crack down on foreigners. Rather, this seems to be coming from the Japanese government. So, here's a question I hope you can help me answer: Have any of you heard anything about foreign residents in your home countries or other countries being subjected to similar sudden demands to appear at a bank, or to submit documents remotely? If so, please either contact me personally or, better yet, share what you know in a comment. Thanks!
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding “Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and
Combating the Financing of Terrorism”
https://www.fsa.go.jp/en/news/2022/20221109/20220805_en_amlcft_faq.pdf

Sean here-
Raku Sato, a member of Teen Driven, has embarked on an exciting journey as a young entrepreneur.
If you believe that today's teenagers are not merely lazy, overpampered smartphone zombies, but rather possess the potential to be innovative and driven individuals, then read on.
Let's support Raku's initiative and encourage his entrepreneurial spirit.
-Japanese below-
My name is Raku Sato.
I studied abroad in Oxford and London, England from August 12 to September 2 this year.
I decided to hold a solo exhibition/pop-up store called "UK trip pop-up" to introduce the various cultures and landscapes I saw and felt there, as well as the Japanese culture I passed on to the local people.
I will introduce my travel memories and activities and sell interesting and cute products that I have purchased in the area!
Please come and enjoy my exhibition at UNUSUAL!
開催日→12/9〜12/30
UNUSUAL→熊本県熊本市中央区白山２丁目１３−９富士ビル 1F
こんにちは。佐藤楽です。
僕は今年の8/12〜9/2までイギリスのオックスフォードとロンドンに留学をしてきました。
その際現地で見て感じた様々な文化や景色や、逆に自分が現地の人々に伝えた日本の文化を紹介するために、"UK trip pop-up"という個展を開催することにしました。
僕の旅行の思い出や活動内容の紹介展示、そして僕が現地で買い付けてきた面白くて可愛らしい商品の販売もあります！
ぜひ！UNUSUALで僕の展示をお楽しみください!
開催日→12/9〜12/30
UNUSUAL→熊本県熊本市中央区白山２丁目１３−９富士ビル 1F

Kirk here. I've been in Kumamoto for a while now but until reading this article, I didn't realize that poinsettias were a local product.
Shipments of poinsettias for Christmas season in full swing in southwest Japan - The Mainichi
YAMAGA, Kumamoto -- Shipments of poinsettias, which add brilliant color to the Christmas season, are at their peak at the Chibusan Yokaen flower farm

Kirk here. Good news! The restoration of Aso Shrine has been completed!
Aso Shrine Fully Restored for 1st Time since 2016
Aso, Kumamoto Pref., Dec. 7 (Jiji Press)--Reconstruction of a two-storied gate of Aso Shrine was completed on …

Kirk here with some recent news and some background.
News: Governor Kabashima has decided not to run for a fourth term.
Background: There seems to be something of a tradition of stopping at three terms. In the early 1980s then Governor SAWADA Issei tried to ignore that unwritten rule but was interrupted by HOSOKAWA Morihiro, who later became Prime Minister. The image you see is from a video recounting that history. I'll post a link the the video in a comment.

Kirk here with an update regarding a national issue (not limited to Kumamoto) that we've discussed here in the recent years: getting stopped and questioned by police merely because one happens to look foreign. I'm glad to say that the issue of treating people as potential criminals merely because of how they look (that is, racial profiling) has gotten increased attention in recent years. I say "I'm glad" because I'm hoping that such attention will help to keep such abuses of power in check, at least to some extent. The image is of a book published this year but a lawyer who is particularly concerned about the rights of foreigners. I've just started reading it but it seems quite good. I'll put links in comments to this post.

Many thanks to the JET and JTE community who raised 3万 for Christmas gifts for kids in Kumamoto carehomes by buying seasonal goods from the チームトナカイ booth at their annual professional development conference!!!
This Sunday, 10th December Team Tonakai will hold a bazaar at Sunatori CC - it's in Kuwamizu-honmachi 6-29, just a 5-minute walk from the Shogyo HS tram stop!
If you've some items to donate for sale please drop them off by 11am 💡 If your contribution is bigger than one shopping bag's worth please contact Team Tonakai in advance - by Saturday 3pm.
We look forward to seeing you there to mingle with mince pies* and jingle your yennies from 10-4pm 🎶 🎄🎁 - Ruth
Parking limited, so consider parking at the gym or taking the tram!
*mince pies not guaraChristmas Bazaar Fundraiser - Team Tonakai 募金活動募金活動=fbl

William Dual nationality is a thing. If you're a foreign national in Japan, it's not such a big deal, but if you have children here, it is. I taught my kids to show their Japanese passport when exciting and their US passport when entering. They still do this.
It would be good if Japan just went ahead and allowed dual nationality.
Court rules Japan's dual nationality ban constitutional
A Japanese court on Wednesday ruled the country's nationality law that denies dual citizenship is constitutional, rejecting a lawsuit filed by a Japanese-born U.S. citizen. Yuri Kondo, 76, who resides in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, said in the suit filed with the Fukuoka District Court t...

Kirk here with something from the Fiji Times. Personally, I'm not a big fan of how they plaster "@ The Fiji Times" on all of their pictures, but, setting that aside, some readers of this page my find their account of Kumamoto's recovery from the earthquake and One Piece author Eiichiro Oda's role in that effort to be of interest.
Mesmerising Japan - Part 4 - The Fiji Times
Amid the glitz and glamour of Tokyo, entertainment in Osaka and historical charm of Kyoto, other destinations in Japan often tend to be sidelined. However, when I learnt that Kumamoto was among the places we would visit, the spark of excitement was too difficult to contain. You see, Kumamoto is the....

Kirk here. I'm not sure if this is related to the murder I wrote about last night, but, regardless, this proposed "Public Contract Ordinance" strikes me as a good idea. (I'll link to the source in a comment.)
By the way, ChatGPT correctly translates "市独自の" as "unique" but other reports I saw indicated that there are already several cities with similar laws. The mayor cited their effectiveness in raising wage levels when proposing the ordinance.
--- ChatGPT translation starts ---
Kumamoto City has announced its intention to establish a unique 'Public Contract Ordinance' aimed at improving the working environment for laborers engaged in public works projects ordered by the city.
This was revealed at the Kumamoto City Council meeting on December 5th.
Mayor Onishi stated that an investigation into municipalities that have established a 'Public Contract Ordinance' showed improvements such as increased wages and reduced overtime work for workers. Consequently, the city plans to set up a committee of experts next fiscal year to discuss this matter.
The ordinance is proposed to be presented in fiscal year 2025, with an aim to implement it in fiscal year 2026.

Kirk here. I learned recently that there was a murder earlier this year in which, according to reports, both the victim and the suspect are foreigners. I'll refrain from going into details but I can say that reports indicate that "equal work, unequal pay" may have triggered the incident.
I'll put a link in a comment.

Kirk here with something for history buffs. I'll append a ChatGPT 4.0 translation, which I think is pretty good.
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/874059?display=1
--- ChatGPT 4.0 translation of article ---
New Documents Discovered Related to Hidden Christians: "Retaliation against the Village Headman for Leading Christian Hunts" Described
December 4, 2023, Monday, 15:24
New documents related to hidden Christians, previously unexplored, have been discovered in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
The newly found documents pertain to hidden Christians following the "Amakusa Collapse" (Amakusa Kuzure). The Amakusa Collapse refers to an incident in the late Edo period where many Christians were captured.
The documents reveal that, six years after the Amakusa Collapse, there was turmoil in a village where the community sought the dismissal of the village headman of Imatomi Village (current Imatomi, Kawaura Town, Amakusa City). The headman is believed to have led the search for Christians, and the turmoil was considered retaliation against him for these actions.
From these documents, it can be understood that the faith of the hidden Christians was preserved even after the Amakusa Collapse. It also sheds light on how the village headmen, including other locals at the time, perceived the existence of hidden Christians. The discovery of these private documents, apart from official records, is said to be very rare.
Professor Keimei Ando, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kumamoto University: "A comprehensive analysis of these documents may reveal a new image of hidden Christians in Amakusa."
Starting December 7, an exhibition interpreting these ancient documents will be held at the Amakusa Christian Museum and Amakusa Rosario Museum.
キリシタン探索を主導した “庄屋への報復 ” など記述『潜伏キリシタンに関する新たな資料を発見』 | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送
これまで解明されていなかった潜伏キリシタンに関する新たな資料が熊本県天草市で発見されました。今回、新たに見つかったのは『天草崩れ（あまくさくずれ）』後の潜伏キリシタンに関する文書です。天草崩れとは江…

William I first came to Japan by ship (!!) - from Taiwan via Okinawa to Osaka. Without a word of Japanese and no knowledge of the culture, I spent a lonely week in Naha. Yet shop after shop offered what I termed "banana fish" - see, they were shaped like bananas but smelled like fish.
Turns out they were katsuobushi 鰹節 - smoked bonito Later, I spent time in Kagoshima and visited facilities where they are made. (if you visit the area, you'll see pile upon pile of wood for smoking). It is a lengthy process. But if you are a katusobushi fan (which I have become), Kagoshima is your Jerusalem. PM us for info - touring a factory is a wonderful experience.
Katsuobushi flakes are available pretty much anywhere. They are good on anything - heck, put them on your toast! - and are healthy and nutritious. (If you're a hardcore traditionalist, you buy a cutting board box specifically designed to shave katsuobushi.)

Joe Tomei here, passing on a post by Ruth Maruki Kai. The fundraiser is for Christmas gifts for the orphanage.
An onegai, if you do donate 2nd hand items, you should try and swing by at the end and pick them up if they haven't been bought.
======
12月10日（日）10～16時、砂取公民館で開催されるバザーにぜひお越しください!!!!! 🎅中古品やハンドメイドアイテムをお持ちの方は、寄付金として販売することもできますので、たくさんの品物をリホームしてみましょう　✌ 👒🖊📚💖 Come to our bazaar fundraiser this Sunday, 10th December (10-4pm) at Sunatori Community Center. If you've second-hand items which can also be sold for donations so let's try rehome many items! 🎨🪘 🫰
また、お菓子や飲み物をご持参ください!! 子供たちのクリスマスプレゼントのための信金繰りも兼ねて、楽しく交流しましょう。Bring baked goods and drinks to share if you can! Let's enjoy mingling and putting the FUN back in FUNdraising!!!!! ☕🍪🍩🎁🎁✨
Address: 神水本町6-29 (Limited parking at the center! Please consider park at the gymnasium!) ナースパワーアリーナ(熊本市総合体育館・青年会館)から歩いて２分!!!!

Kirk here with news about an Indian restaurant I've posted about in the past. On RKK last night, I learned that the restaurant is located in the the area near the new TSMC facilities that has increased in price the most in the last year. In fact, the rate of increase the highest of any place in Japan. This has led to additional publicity for the restaurant. I'll put some related links in comments to this post.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid067SgvWoaXCQCdFambqrvcpzaAqB8sum9mX2Nd5N5pX5ZsU4FVNZYNfqYYbkduNJ5l

William A bit of private stuff but maybe of general interest