Kumamoto International Archive

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

The economic benefits of TSMC's arrival may be even better than originally anticipated. -- Kirk
TSMC's fab creates stronger-than-expected economic effect on Kumamoto
The economic benefit of TSMC's wafer factory in Kumamoto, Japan is larger than what was observed in 2022. Latest estimates have increased by 60% from the original basis made by a Japanese financial institution.

Kirk with potato chip news. If we get anything about dip we'll publish it here without fear or favor (always the highest journalistic standards, you know).
Akaushi Beef-Flavored Chips Debut to Promote Kyushu Area
KUMAMOTO — Snack maker Koike-ya Inc. has released potato chips with the flavor of Akaushi beef, a specialty of Kumamoto Prefecture.

Kirk here. I saw a segment on RKK last night about kids from Taiwan (here with their parents who have come with TSMC) beginning their studies at Kumamoto International School (KIS). English is the primary language of instruction but they have staff who can help the kids with Chinese when needed. And, they also get lesson's in Japanese. In the RKK segment, Principal Mathew Ohm described his vision for the students in excellent Japanese. Congratulations to Mr. Ohm and everyone at the school on this milestone!
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3fcd9d8d2559247ecb4c700ffb5e083a12a0c060/images/000
P.S. Here's the URL of the school's page:
https://kumamotointer.jp/
Next step: Add an English side to this all-Japanese-language website!
TSMC進出の熊本、台湾の子どもたちが就学　移転新築の熊本インターナショナルスクール　新校舎で歓迎、新生活に「楽しみ」 (熊本日日新聞) - Yahoo!ニュース
開校した熊本インターナショナルスクール（KIS）の新校舎で授業を受ける小学部の児童たち＝4日午前、熊本市東区（上杉勇太） - Yahoo!ニュース(熊本日日新聞)

The Great Festival of Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine is coming up on the 17th of this month. The second URL takes you to an RKK TV report about getting the armor ready to be worn in the parade.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Festival_of_Fujisaki_Hachimangu_Shrine
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d394e3e0159a7adddd8f7fca166a5e3e57217f0b
I find the explanation on the Wikipedia page about the name "Boshita" to be problematic. It's an extreme oversimplification of a very complicated issue. I may post about that some other day.
The Great Festival of Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine - Wikipedia
The Great Festival of Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine is a festival of Fujisaki-hachimangu at Chūō-ku, Kumamoto every September, characterized by a parade of Shinto priests, followed by groups of followers who chase their horses shouting, "Boshita, Boshita", in earlier times; but now the parade followe...

William It's easy to forget how close Kumamoto is to the sea. Kumanichi reports on a wayward ray spotted near Kumamoto Station. One hopes he figured out how to get back to Ariake - the river only has two directions, so it shouldn't be too difficult. https://kumanichi.com/articles/1159396
Cooling weather invites outdoor activities. A wonderful bicycle ride takes the left bank (facing seaward) of Shirakawa all the way to Ariake. In town, ride along a small road at the foot of the levee; there is little traffic, and tunnels under each crossroad means no lights. Outside of town (at a small temple called 十禅寺), a steep flight of steps leads to a path atop the levee and unimpeded access to the sea with wonderful views. As an extension, when you reach the sea, turn left and continue on to Kumamoto Port (the bridge there would be the only hill on the route).
Happy trails!
海から遠い住宅地の川にエイ！？　熊本市の坪井川、河口から8キロ　散歩中の男性が動画撮影｜熊本日日新聞社
　「熊本市の白坪小学校近くの川をエイが泳いでいてびっくりした」。熊本市西区の元会社員の男性（60）が散歩中に撮影したというエイの動画が熊本日日新聞に寄せられた。海水にいるはずのエイが、河口から約8キロも上...

Kirk here with an article published in a Chinese newspaper presenting a criticism from Koichiro Matsunaga, a Minamata disease victim I have met many times. He's quoted as saying that the Japanese government "completely failed to learn from the lessons of Minamata disease."
https://english.news.cn/20230901/bb1d8c4a2d74470c96faf346d85fbb8d/c.html
Now, it's not surprising that Chinese media would publish an article critical of Japan's dump of waste water in Fukushima; after all, it's government policy for China. But, that doesn't mean that Mr. Matsunaga is being misquoted or that there is no reasonable basis for his concerns. A little publication called "National Geographic" (you may have heard of it) published an article in which the possibility of isotopes accumulating "in a variety of invertebrates, fish, marine mammals, and humans” was presented.
https://english.news.cn/20230901/bb1d8c4a2d74470c96faf346d85fbb8d/c.html
Such bioaccumulation is the sort of problem that occurred in Minamata.
Granted, it's probably true that the risk of such accumulation causing serious health problems is significantly lower than was the case in Minamata. And it's surely true that no one has proven scientifically that dangerous levels of bioaccumulation WILL occur. But, that doesn't mean that concerns are not scientific. Fukushima is, in a sense, a huge scientific experiment. The prediction is that the dilution will be sufficient to avoid serious problems. That prediction is based on science but it's only a prediction. Science can't rule out the possibility of unintended consequences. Scientific experiments produce results that were not predicted in advance quite regularly. So, when the Japanese government uses the word "science" to assuage concerns, I think it's important to remember that the science they refer to is continuing and that we won't know the full answers to many scientific questions for many decades.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/fukushima-japan-nuclear-wastewater-pacific-ocean
Japan's Minamata victims call halt to ocean discharge of nulcear-contaminated wastewater-Xinhua
Japan's Minamata victims call halt to ocean discharge of nulcear-contaminated wastewater-

SUIZENJI KOI AKARI
@SUIZENJI park tonight.
Atsuko(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡

Atsuko here.
Dear Mizuakari fans.
みずあかり Mizuakari, the autumn festival in Kumamoto, will be held again this year on the 7th and 8th of October.
Mizuakari is beautiful to watch and enjoy, but it is even more fun if you volunteer to take part. Yesterday I took part with my daughter. Volunteers are also needed to help out in the city centre on 7 and 8 October. It's also fun to work with the あかりびと Akaribito, who turn on the lights.
All the volunteer work is done in Japanese, but all the volunteers are friendly. When I came four years ago, before Corona, there was a young man on a working holiday.
Let's enjoy autumn in Kumamoto.
https://mizuakari-net.translate.goog/?fbclid=IwAR0r893e3hFxApRdyzwgfSdeiMmF9kuxWBOj2708mtaHnLjj2XgcRfj3hJg&_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/mizuakari2004

According to the third URL below, Kounoyu (こうの湯）, a ryokan in the Kurokawa Onsen area, is the most popular onsen ryokan in Kyushu in the 1 to 10 room category. Looking at the website is making me want to save up some money (such facilities tend not to be cheap) for a visit. -- Kirk
P.S. I'm linking to the English side of their site, which I think it pretty good. But, one thing I don't like about it as that there's no link from the English back to the Japanese (clicking on "English" is basically a one-way ticket). This is problematic in part because the Japanese side has a much better interface for checking for openings and making reservations. I see this as another example of the assumption that people who might want to look at an English-language website couldn't possibly have any reason to (or be able to understand) the Japanese website. :(
http://www.kounoyu.jp/en/
http://www.kounoyu.jp/
https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/1785470/
Ryokan Kono-Yu
Please take off your shoes within the hotel area. When moving between facilities in the hotel, please use slippers. When going out to the garden or the carpark in the hotel, please use “Setta”(Japanese leather-soled sandals).

Click here to see the current list of events:
https://kumamotoi.blogspot.com/2023/09/calendar.html
I'll keep this post "pinned" to the top of the page so that you can find the link easily. -- Kirk

This extensive article discusses various ways in which Kumamon is being used to promote tourism.
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/travel-spots/20230902-133726/
It says that Kumamon Square is is located in the "Tetoria Kumamoto Building," which probably won't help most people find it. Here's a page that shows its location in the Tsuruya Department Store downtown:
https://www.kumamon-sq.jp/en/
Note that "Suidocho" should be capitalized. -- Kirk
Kumamoto Pref. pushes ‘Kumamon Land’ vision
KUMAMOTO — Quite a few establishments headlining Kumamon, the widely loved mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, have popped up or undergone renovations through out the prefecture over the years, hoping to draw in tourists who want to meet the popular bear. The prefectural government plans to make the mo...

liz here , with an update for Kirk's post about the festivities underway in Yamato yesterday and today. The fireworks (which were lovely to watch with a cool breeze after dark) are over, but if you have the time and access to a car (about a hour drive from downtown Kumamoto) I highly recommend going today. The creations (floats? ) are absolutely amazing. Today they will be paraded through the main street, and I expect there will be lots of spectators but worth braving the crowds. You can park at the elementary school and the beautiful Tsuujunkyou bridge will be releasing water several times in the afternoon. It's within walking distance from the school parking lot. I will leave further glowing comments to Jane in the comments .

Classic Persian rugs, anyone? On display at the Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center (Dento Kogei Kan).
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/4a22b552c3661bab00d9454a0f111635e11ec6b1
Here's a link to an English introduction to the facility:
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/en/spots/detail/127
And here's what can be found in English on the official website of the facility:
https://kumamoto-kougeikan.jp/visiting/
ペルシャ絨毯の世界展　熊本県伝統工芸館で開催中【熊本】（TKUテレビ熊本） - Yahoo!ニュース
ペルシャ絨毯の展示会『華麗なるペルシャ絨毯の世界展』が熊本市中央区の熊本県伝統工芸館で開かれています。熊本市中央区上通町にある『ミーリーコレクション熊本』が毎年開催し、イランの『ミーリー工房』と

Sorry for the last-minute notice but, if you like fireworks and can get to Yame (Fukuoka, very close to the border with Kumamoto), you can see a show tonight (9/2). -- Kirk
福岡県八女市の祈祷院五霊宮の八女八朔祭花火大会2023について、日程・時間や場所、屋台・露店の出店、アクセスや駐車場等気になりますよね。ここでは、八女八朔祭花火大会2023の日程・時間や場所、屋台・露店の出店、....

A 6th grader at the Kumamoto International School has passed the highest level of Japan's Eiken test. The "ikkyu" level is quite difficult of adults and, according to the Kumanichi article, it's very rare for an elementary school student to pass. -- Kirk
Kumanichi article:
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1156789
Kumamoto International School
https://kumamotointer.jp/

Kirk here with a heads-up about a fireworks event to be held in Shiranui-machi, over the Ariake Sea on Thursday, the 14th. I've never been to it but the poster is making want to go.
https://festival.eplus.jp/events/555

Let's dance! 踊りましょう!!

日本語は下記・Japanese follows below!
Calling all wannabe dancers!!! 新しいダンサーの参加も歓迎します!
Conas atá sibh? How are you all? ☘️ 'The Shamrockers', a small dance troupe, made up of various Kumamoto residents, will take to the, err, street to perform two Irish dances around noon on Saturday, 30th September, at the 28th Kumamoto International Exchange Festival・第28回熊本国際交流祭典, held downtown at Shinshigai.
We welcome new dancers to join us, so, if you'd like to take part on the 30th September, there will be a practice dance session on Sunday, 24th September, from 3-4pm on Hakuzan-dori. Please see the attached image for details🎼👣🎻 Currently our members are from 12 to 72-years-young!! Comment below or DM Ruth Maruki Kai (That's me!) if you've any queries!
☘️ 「ザ・シャムロッカーズ」は、熊本県民と外国人で構成される小さなダンス団で、9月30日（土）正午頃、熊本市サンロード新市街で開催される「第28回熊本国際交流祭典」で、2つのアイリッシュダンスを披露します✨ 新しいダンサーの参加も歓迎しますので、9月30日に参加したい方は、9月24日（日）午後3時から4時まで、白山通りで練習を行います。現在、メンバーは12歳から72歳までいる！詳しくは添付の画像をご覧ください🎼👣🎻 お問い合わせは下記コメントか、Ruth（私です！）にDMをください！

Kirk here. The day has come and the Janes Residence is open to the public.
https://www.facebook.com/KumamotoCity/posts/pfbid0B6MrS41tqhkU4jcaT7iQXUnRHPpgPA6QZobvynPAQJboJBjPguCZcny94Mb5qwTsl
Check out this previous post for more information:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid02qe7Fjr3tzLzLdV16MZpZGtRgbW3rvxYXFHGvaFin8W9DZ8SNvdE1kTbo3AvsAbBjl

Kirk here with a pair of events that are already underway at Grandmesse. First, here's a link to an English page about the venue:
https://www.grandmesse.jp/kiji00376/index.html
One event is a craft fair. The image you see (light orange?) is a coupon that will reduce your entry fee from 500 yen to 400 yen. Here's a page will information about the many booths:
https://spice-country.jp/#%E5%87%BA%E5%B1%95%E8%80%85%E4%B8%80%E8%A6%A7
Another event being held simultaneously is a ceramics (and pottery) fair. Here's a URL for that:
https://www.grandmesse.jp/kiji003432/index.html