A shot of some early bloomers near my home yesterday. Posted by Kirk
2015-03-23 11:37 JST 2015 A shot of some early bloomers near my home yesterday. Posted by Kirk ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 41 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 0 ← 2015-03-21 16:34 JST 2015-03-23 20:00 JST → Around this time … 2015-03-29 11:03 JSTHere's a photo of the cherry blossoms that I took near my home yesterday.Posted by Kirk 2015-03-28 17:09 JSTI'm not sure, but I think this may be a first: The advertisement of a house for sale on Kumamoto-i. --- start quote ---We are moving, and our home of 12 years is for sale. It has had many improvements done over time. There are two kitchens and various separate living spaces--also a large separate office. There are five upstairs bedrooms, and parking for 5 cars. Suitable for a school, large family, two separate families, etc. A photo walk-through is available: http://bit.ly/1CQCcTZ Located in Minami-Kumamoto (just south of Rte. 57), about a 20 minute drive to the castle. If interested, p;lease contact Ann by email:[email protected]You are welcome to view the house (Miukinishi 1-14-18) by appointment.--- end quote ---https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/13191Yahoo! Groups 2015-03-27 19:00 JSTI recently happened upon the results of the 19th “Kusamakura” Haiku Competition sponsored by Kumamoto City. As you can see, awards are given for submissions in English as well as in Japanese. The Japanese side of the website says that the detail regarding this year's competition will be announced on June 1st.Posted by Kirkhttp://kusamakura-haiku.jp/backnumber/2012/english_e.html 2015-03-24 20:41 JSTKumamoto University is advertising three new academic positions. Applications are due by the end of April. For details please go tohttps://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/13190 2015-03-23 20:00 JSTOn March 20th, Japan marked the 20th anniversary of the subway nerve gas (sarin) attack by members of the Aum Supreme Truth cult.This article looks at the cult's roots in Kumamoto. The "guru" at the center of the cult, Asahara Shoko (Matsumoto Chizuo) was born into a family of tatami mat makers in Yatsushiro City and later based the cult in Aso.According to the article, if Kumamoto police had been able to cooperate better with other law enforcement agencies, the activities of the cult might have been significantly curtailed before they were able to commit major acts of terrorism.--- start quote ---There had been a chance to cut deep into the cult before the incident when the group was charged by Kumamoto prefectural police with violation of the National Land Utilization Law in 1990.But the police in Kumamoto and other prefectures concerned conducted investigations of the cult separately due to conflicts over jurisdiction, which made it impossible for law enforcement nationwide to establish a system under which they could work together to deal with the cult.--- end quote ---http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002020444Expert: Attack shows need to anticipate urban terror risks 2015-03-23 11:37 JSTA shot of some early bloomers near my home yesterday. (this post) 2015-03-21 16:34 JST"Lance Cpl. Jonas G. Dewald, right, instructs a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member during sniper stalk lane training Dec. 2, 2014, in the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan."http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japan-s-ruling-coalition-reaches-deal-on-expanding-operations-of-self-defense-forces-1.335472Japan's ruling coalition reaches deal on expanding operations of Self-Defense Forces 2015-03-20 18:48 JSTAside from the Kumamon connection, I think the potential for 3-D printing to facilitate creativity among ceramic artists is interesting."CEO Takayuki Higashigawa, 63, has used the printer to create figures of Kumamon, the mascot for Kumamoto Prefecture, among others. The 3-D design was based on multiple images and scans of the character."Posted by Kirkhttp://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/03/20/national/pottery-makers-may-embrace-3-d-printing-hone-designs/#.VQvrjxCUdSsPottery-makers may embrace 3-D printing to hone their designs | The Japan Times 2015-03-20 10:50 JST"The birds are found mostly in East Asia and the local rise in wintering spoonbills is in line with a 23 per cent overall increase in numbers across the region spanning Deep Bay to Taiwan, Korea and Japan's Kumamoto prefecture." http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1741280/return-black-faced-spoonbill-hong-kongReturn of the black-faced spoonbill to Hong Kong 2015-03-17 20:05 JSTAccording to this article, Japan's Self-Defense Forces are operating surveillance drones in the Aso area.http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201503160028SDF failed to disclose crash of unmanned drone in Oita in November - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun 2015-03-17 08:19 JSTThe article "Kumamoto: It's waiting for you" is a general introduction to the sister state relationship between Kumamoto and Montana. It does not mention Minamata but I'd like to add that the article's author, Ian Marquand, has produced a very interesting documentary outlining the similarities between the Minamata mercury-poisoning disaster and asbestos contamination in Libby, Montana. See, for example, the following pdf:http://www.umt.edu/mansfield/internationalprograms/files/minamata-libby-brochure.pdf--- start quote ---Documentary film entitled “From Environmental Tragedy to Hope: the Libby and Minamata Stories,” created and produced by Ian Marquand, Special Projects Coordinator for Montana.--- end quote ---http://helenair.com/news/opinion/kumamoto-it-s-waiting-for-you/article_75027315-deed-58dc-8eef-bb3410f89956.htmlKumamoto: It's waiting for you
