Kirk here with news for sunflower fans. The place is Minamiaso and the photo was taken on the 12th.
2023-09-15 20:00 JST 2023 Kirk here with news for sunflower fans. The place is Minamiaso and the photo was taken on the 12th. Japan Photo Journal: Sunflowers bloom in village struck by 2016 Kumamoto quake - The MainichiSunflowers are seen in the Kumamoto Prefecture village of Minamiaso on Sept. 12, 2023. The yellow flowers of some 13,000 plants swaying in the highlan https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230914/p2a/00m/0na/00 … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 9 · Comments: 1 · Shares: 0 ← 2023-09-15 16:42 JST 2023-09-16 06:42 JST → Around this time … 2023-09-16 13:57 JSTKirk here. There's a sake festival in progress at Amu Plaza:--- start quote ---The fourth sake event! “Kumamoto Autumn Sake Festival 2023” will be held from September 15th (Friday) to 17th (Sunday)!--- end quote ---https://www.jrkumamotocity.com/en/amu/news/857You can see a TV report about the opening day here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPsB2MsMc54 2023-09-16 13:47 JSTKirk here. I wrote earlier that Mr. Kihara (politician from Kumamoto who has become defense minister) has a reputation of being quite conservative. He's also considered to be very pro-Taiwan, as this article indicate. HIs pro-Taiwan stance no doubt has something to do with the growing importance of Taiwan to Kumamoto's economy but I think it's fair to say that it's also an extension of his view of China as a threat to Japan and of Taiwan as an ally in that context. I don't know the details about his proposal that "Japan use 'counterattack capabilities' to resist a People's Liberation Army (PLA) invasion" but I hope his hawkishness on China doesn't lead to an escalation of tensions.Japan's Kishida taps pro-Taiwan politician as defense minister | Taiwan News | 2023-09-14 15:43:00 2023-09-16 10:57 JSTKirk here. A while back I complained that the prefecture's website doesn't seem to have a section devoted to providing information to foreign residents. Since then, I've learned that the prefecture has a "Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents" and that such information can be found there. Here's the address of the Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/KumamotoSupportCenterforForeignResidentsYou'll find a link there to the free online Japanese classes that caused my complaint in the first place. Similar information is available on the Center's webpage:http://www.kuma-koku.jp/support-center/hpkiji/pub/List.aspx?c_id=3&class_set_id=6&class_id=582I think the "Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents" provides important information and services but am worried that it's a little hard to find. When you go to the prefecture's main website, you'll find a link to "Foreign Language" (should be "Foreign Languages"?) and this takes you to machine translations of the entire website in various languages, including English. However, you won't find a link to the "Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents" there. So, I wonder how they expect people who need help to find it.If any of you have used the services of "Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents" and would be willing to comment on your experience, either positively or negatively, please do so here. 2023-09-16 08:19 JSTWilliam Personal note: I've been somewhat disabled with a knee injury and have become addicted to spy/action novels (Tom Clancey and the like). If any have some to give/trade, I would be grateful. 2023-09-16 06:42 JSTSean here – Looking for a couple of kids who might be interested in being involved in this event. A good opportunity for the right kid. English in not needed. Teens are involved from planning to completion. Last year, they raised 30,000 and introduced the concept of the 4 R's to 30 kids. Win, Win, WinThey also get a letter of accomplishment to be used as part of Uni entrance or HS entrance applications.----------We launched the 4th annual 2023 Ezuko, Trick or Trash Halloween Party, planning committee. October 29th 2023Protecting the environment – Supporting our communityWe currently have openings for 3 more teenagers who would like to be part of this event. Women encouraged to participate.Requirements: Teenager - Highly motivated -Friendly- Positive attitude – Dependable –English is NOT a requirement.If you or you know someone who can rise to the challenge or you have any questions, please message me, or our volunteer liaison Yuri san at: [email protected]私たちは恒例の「江津湖トリック＆トラッシュハロウィーンパーティー」開催へ向けての活動を、昨日始動しました。毎年開催しているこのイベントも4回目。今年は2023年10月29日に開催します。環境を保護し、地元を応援する企画です。私たちは現在、3名のティーンボランティアを募集しています。募集条件: ティーネイジャー（特に女子）／意欲的／社交的／前向き／責任感がある*英語が話せなくても問題ありませんあなた自身やあなたのお知り合いで挑戦してみたい人がいれば、ぜひ私、もしくはチームの連絡係のユウリさん（ [email protected] ）までご連絡ください。質問なども遠慮なくどうぞ。 2023-09-15 20:00 JSTKirk here with news for sunflower fans. The place is …Japan Photo Journal: Sunflowers bloom in village struck by 2016 Kumamoto quake - The Mainichi (this post) 2023-09-15 16:42 JSTWilliam A friend had mentioned that he'd signed up for Kumamoto Marathon. Aside from its high entry fee (14,500円! - that's an expensive T-shirt), their desire to make it a fast, easy to maintain course means it is incredibly boring. When I still had knees, my favorite marathon route went along Shirakawa to Kita Bypass, across the bridge, then along a route called "Cypress Road" (read about it here: https://www.kikuyotsu-rizumu.jp/route01_07.html) to Milk Road in Ozu. This road is also very historic: it was this which, during the Edo era's required residency of lords (called "sankin-kōtai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankin-k%C5%8Dtai), the Hosokawa clan travelled to Oita and took a boat from there. From my house to Milk Road entrance was exactly marathon-distance - plus, there's a 7-11 at the turnaround for refreshments! As the route follows the railroad, there are very few traffic lights.Get a few friends and enjoy your marathon on an historic route for free! - or create your own using Google Maps. 2023-09-15 16:00 JSTFireworks in Asagiri Machi (near Hitoyoshi) on October 14th. -- Kirkhttps://kumanichi.com/event/1169390 2023-09-15 11:27 JSTWilliam Times are one wants free money and might be tempted to make it oneself. Kumanichi reports on the arrest of four Vietnamese nationals (coulda been any nationality - counterfeiting knows no borders) in Nagasu who attempted to exchange six "old" ￥10,000 notes (the ones with Fukuzawa Yukichi, a Meiji era philosopher and the founder of Keio University) for new ones (which also feature Fukuzawa but add additional patterns and security features) in Tamana. Apparently, the suspects imported 100 counterfeit old 10,000 yen bills from Vietnam to Fukuoka Airport. In 2024, we'll see an entirely new ￥10,000 note featuring Shibusawa Eiichi, known today as the "father of Japanese capitalism." https://kumanichi.com/articles/1171799 2023-09-15 09:06 JSTKirk here. In addition to the availability of lots of clean ground water and proximity to Japan, TSMC seems to like Kumamoto because of its assessment of the local work ethic:"TSMC sees workers in Japan, which is known for long hours and strong commitment to employers, as more willing to work a punishing schedule with overtime as chipmaking machines run around the clock in sterile clean rooms, the sources said."TSMC prizes Japan's chips skills after U.S. stumbles 2023-09-14 20:00 JSTKirk here with a share from Explore Kumamoto. This is just one of several posts I'm tempted to share. If you're not familiar with the page check it out. There have been some interesting posts about Yamato-machi recently (Tsujunkyo, Gorogataki, the Hassaku Festival etc.).https://www.facebook.com/reel/6850294051658115
