Kirk here with an English-language article about how Kumamoto's Murakami-sama saved the day:
2023-03-21 12:14 JST 2023 Kirk here with an English-language article about how Kumamoto's Murakami-sama saved the day: Baseball: Murakami lifts Japan into WBC final vs. U.S.Munetaka Murakami hit a walk-off two-run double in the ninth inning as Japan beat Mexico 6-5 Monday in their World Baseball Classic semifinal to book a spot in March 21's final against the defending champion United States. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/03/5e5893c01733-urge … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 17 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 1 ← 2023-03-21 11:56 JST 2023-03-21 21:21 JST → Around this time … 2023-03-23 20:18 JSTKirk here. Tomorrow is a big day in the case of Le Thi Thuy Linh, who has been convicted (wrongfully convicted in my opinion and the opinion of many) of abandoning the bodies of stillborn twins she gave birth to while alone at home. This case is one of several cases that have come to be viewed as indicative of the extent to which the human rights of non-citizens are or are not protected in Japan. For an article on that aspect of the case, see the following:EDITORIAL: Human rights of foreign residents need protection in Constitutionhttps://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14614807Newborn Abandonment Case Highlights Fears Among Foreign Traineeshttps://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/crime-courts/20230322-98963/--- start quote ---More than 90,000 signatures were submitted to the court by Japanese supporters and trainees demanding an acquittal, on the grounds that if Linh’s appeal is rejected, other women in similar circumstances may be charged with crimes.--- end quote ---Newborn Abandonment Case Highlights Fears Among Foreign Trainees 2023-03-23 11:16 JSTKirk here with a share from Kumamoto Japan Tourism about Okoshiki Kaigan -- arguably Kumamoto's best spot to photograph a beautiful sunset.The post recommends days to get a good view. Ideally, low tide should come at about sunset. That's what reveals that beautiful pattern you see in the photo. But, of course, there are other factors to consider -- the weather, your own schedule, etc. So, you might want to look up the tide times yourself and decide weather or not to go. You can do that here:https://tide.chowari.jp/43/432113/20456/In 2016, a friend of mine who is an outstanding photographer came and we went to Okoshiki Beach to see and photograph the sunset. As I recall, the conditions weren't ideal but the tide was fairly low when the sun set so we got some good shots. You can see a post about that day here.https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0GjTnCvK8ZpefC9ZCnFbUCWkCuoby9WuTWjbwPWQVF5dvJfAzSeNt4JYGMPiqgeWClhttps://www.facebook.com/kumamoto.en/posts/pfbid02MiyeYyDWF1sY3k7U3fxcj4dZAsyErsRjE95tvmSnSv1NN9iLKjJAyBVzMdDGdoVEl 2023-03-22 12:01 JSTKirk here with a follow-up to Sean's post about today's World Baseball Classic final between Japan and the U.S. Murakami came through again to tie the score 1-1 with a solo home run after the U.S. had taken the lead. Final score: Japan 3, U.S.A. 2.Munetaka Murakami CRUSH a solo homer to help Japan tie game against USA 2023-03-22 08:08 JSTSean here -Looking forward to an interesting and exciting next couple of hours. Shouting out to all the people who made living here so amazing. Go Team friendship! 2023-03-21 21:21 JSTKirk here with a link to a paper just published in Scientific Reports: --- start quote ---Mount Aso in southern Japan showed frequent volcanic activity during 2016, accompanied by significant earthquake activities with tens of thousands of aftershocks (Kumamoto sequence). Here we investigate the influence of earthquake/volcanic activity on the future productivity of nearby geothermal power plants to determine whether the activity is detrimental or beneficial to energy exploitation.-- end quote ---Pretty technical reading but it might be just the thing to help you settle down for a good night's sleep. :)Citation: Gunatilake, T. Dynamics between earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and geothermal energy exploitation in Japan. Sci Rep 13, 4625 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31627-3 2023-03-21 12:14 JSTKirk here with an English-language article about how …Baseball: Murakami lifts Japan into WBC final vs. U.S. (this post) 2023-03-21 11:56 JSTKirk here reporting that Kumamoto's Murakami-sama came through to drive in the winning home runs in today's game against Mexico. Murakami hadn't been doing as well as expected in the World Baseball Classic but he came through when it really mattered. Tomorrow Japan plays the U.S.【侍ジャパン】村神様が決めた！劇的サヨナラ勝ちで３大会ぶり決勝進出！スター軍団米国との頂上決戦へ（スポーツ報知） - Yahoo!ニュース 2023-03-20 12:54 JSTKirk with an update on a trip to visit a shochu factory in Hitoyoshi that Atsuko posted toward the end of last month:https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid02FYYmt7FspDAPXiHDC5YbcuU3DJwK7fruxaGZEr7PSjWNnmg6fCDuzXLrpjgE49SslRKK covered the trip. If you participated, there's a good chance that you're in the video. :)「球磨焼酎はおいしいですか？」「オイシイデス！」ALTの外国人たちを招いて蔵めぐり | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送 2023-03-19 08:30 JSTAtsuko here with information aboutSake Event.Kumamoto's "New Sake" gathers at Amu Plaza!I enjoyed it yesterday. All the drinks are delicious, and Kawabe fills your cup with lots of sake. For tsumami, I recommend the Chikuwa tempura with cheese and Karashirenkon.(ﾉ≧ڡ≦)☆ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーThe "Sake Festival" event is held at Amu Plaza Kumamoto, where you can taste Kumamoto's freshly brewed sake at its most delicious time. Kumamoto New Sake Festival 2023March 17 (Fri.) 16:00 - 21:00 / March 18 (Sat.) & 19 (Sun.) 12:00 - 21:00Amu Hiroba (JR Kumamoto Station Shirakawa-guchi Station Square)Participating Sake Breweries 】 KAMEMAN SAKE Brewery, Kawazu Sake Brewery, Kumamoto Brewing Institute, Zuiyou, Chiyonosono Sake Brewery, Tsuijun Sake Brewery, Bishonen, Yamamura Sake Brewery Tickets ] 1,200 yen per ticket/ 3 cups of Sake (tax included) A large tatami room with tatami mats made of rushes from Kumamoto Prefecture will be available under the roof of Amu Hiroba! You can enjoy new sake on the tatami. https://www.jrkumamotocity.com/en/amu/news/632 2023-03-19 07:59 JSTSean here - Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors.With that in mind, here is an invitation for anyone to join me for a bike ride.Event: Beginners Cycling RideDate: Sunday, April 2nd, 2023Time: 10:00 AM (Approximately 5 hours round trip)Where: Yukka Family RoadMeeting place: Kami Kumamoto Eki.Minimum 3 participantsFee: Positive energy.Contact: Sean Benwardイベント：初心者サイクリングライド日程：2023年4月2日（日）時間：10:00出発（往復約5時間の予定）場所：ゆうかファミリーロード集合場所：上熊本駅催行人数：3名以上参加費：ポジティブなエネルギー連絡先：ショーン・ベンワードこれは、サイクリングに興味のある全ての初心者への招待状です。特にスポーツとしてサイクリングに挑戦する機会があまりない10 代の若者に、ぜひ挑戦してもらいたくて企画しました。彼らの何人かがもしかしたら将来、私と同じように情熱的なサイクリストになってくれるかも知れないと期待しています。サイクリングは、高齢者でもできる数少ないスポーツの 1 つで、生涯の冒険として楽しめます。ゆうかファミリーロードは初心者にもおすすめのコースです。熊本から山鹿までの34kmのコースで、ウォーキング、ランニング、サイクリングなど多目的に使用できます。ほとんどが平坦な田舎道で、農場、庭園、川があり、車が通らないので安全です。目的地までの距離が1kmごとに表示されているので、移動距離を簡単に測ることができます。道中、きっと桜も咲いていることでしょう。もちろん、上級者も含めどなたでも参加可能ですが、ペースは一番遅いライダーに合わせますのでご注意ください。誰も置き去りにしません。経験豊富なライダーの方は、世話役として参加してくれると嬉しいです。This is an invitation to any beginner with an interest in cycling.I would encourage teenagers as there are few opportunities for them to try cycling as a sport. My hope would be to inspire some of them to join the ranks of us who are passionate cyclists. One of the few sports you can do at an old age, making it a lifelong adventure.Yuuka Family Road is great for beginners. It is a 34k multi-use walk, run, and cycling path from Kumamoto to Yamaga. It is a mostly flat, country path with farms, gardens, and rivers. And NO CARS. I am certain that there would be some cherry blossoms along the way as well. It is easy to follow as there are signs at every kilometer telling you how you went and how far to go to your destination. Of course, everyone is invited, including advanced riders, but keep in mind the pace is as fast as the slowest rider. No one left behind. Depending on how many participate, a few extra experienced riders would be helpful as wranglers.Please message me here if you are interested or have questions. 2023-03-18 20:43 JSTKirk here with a follow-up to my previous post about the festival in progress downtown. I just posted about the cultural events (traditional performances, etc.) but this is about street performers. On TV, I saw a little bit of the chair stacking guy you see on the left. It looked pretty amazing. This image is from the following webpage:https://kumamotopics.com/%E3%82%A4%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88/performers-caravan-2023-hanabatahiroba-2/There is, naturally, information about this on the Hanabata Hiroba website, but pages on that website are not Facebook ready (images don't show up automatically). Sigh . . . :(https://hanabatahiroba.jp/event-information/675/
