Another article from Kumamoto Scoop. -- Kirk Masden
2024-02-20 09:42 JST 2024 Another article from Kumamoto Scoop. -- Kirk Masden 9 Hot Springs in Kumamoto: Must-Visit Onsen and Nearby Spots | Kumamoto ScoopHere, I'll introduce you to the crème de la crème of Kumamoto's hot springs, along with some fantastic nearby spots perfect for day trips. https://en.akumamoto.jp/archives/220678 ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 3 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 0 ← 2024-02-19 17:00 JST 2024-02-20 13:16 JST → Around this time … 2024-02-23 11:57 JSTHere's a video (TV news report) of some students from Kumamoto University and the Prefectural University of Kumamoto making wagashi, tasting halal dagojiru, and talking about places to see and things to do in Kumamoto. The narration is in Japanese but the students all speak in English. -- Kirk外国人留学生を対象にした観光ワークショップ【熊本】 (24/02/22 19:00) 2024-02-22 20:22 JSTWilliam I had the pleasure of living in Taiwan twice, once for a month as a college freshman with a paltry three months of Chinese language and history study to shakenly rely on; second following graduation for 18 months, after which I came on a one-way ticket to Japan by freighter with $100 and a phone number. I learned much about Taiwan and retain a deep love for the country.With TSMC moving in, those with little knowledge of Taiwan may want to fill in gaps of this tumultuous and controversial time. Of surprise to me during my first visit was that the elderly only spoke the Taiwanese dialect - and Japanese, due to the 50-year period under Japanese rule. A movie popular during my time there portraying the time in '45 when the defeated Japanese colonists were leaving for the uncertainty of their war-devastated country was quite controversial as it portrayed positive aspects of Japan's colonial rule. I couldn't find that exact movie, but it turns out many in the same vein have been made since - IMBd reviews many, as this list http://tinyurl.com/5dhs3t39 shows, some of which are available with English subtitles on Youtube. In addition, this short article from Asianometry titled "How Japan Nurtured Taiwan's Colonial Economy: A complicated legacy, with long-lasting repercussions" is a must-read: http://tinyurl.com/yc57hs35TSMC's move is an historical game-changer for our city. Let's catch up with the history behind it.How Japan Nurtured Taiwan's Colonial Economy 2024-02-21 13:48 JSTKirk here with more TSMC-related news. The article says that "TSMC's new fab in Kumamoto, Japan, scheduled to open on February 24, has already had a positive impact on the local housing market." Well, I guess if you have housing that you want to rent or sell the tight housing market might be good for you but I'm rather surprised to see the housing shortage portrayed as a "positive impact." I would agree, though, that it's good that the number of flights between Kumamoto and Taiwan will increase.Taiwanese airlines add more flights to Kyushu region│TVBS新聞網 2024-02-20 21:39 JSTEarlier today I posted about the scandal that a prefectural assembly member may have bet on golf. That made me wonder why various kinds of gambling are OK in Japan and others not so. This article gives a good answer in my view. -- KirkHow Japan ensures you gamble exactly when and where it wants you to 2024-02-20 13:16 JSTKirk here was news about MASUNAGA Shin'ichro, a member of the Prefectural Assembly. He's accused of being involved in an extramarital affair and betting on golf. Granted, if true, the allegations are problematic. But, what about bigger scandals that have been swept under the rug? I'm thinking of MIZOGUCHI Koji, the politician who introduced the Moonie-sponsored bill called the "Kumamoto Home Education Support Ordinance" (くまもと家庭教育支援条例), leading it to become the first Unification-Church-related law of it's kind to be passed in Japan. I'll link to a page on Mr. Mizoguchi site where he explains his reasons for supporting the Moonie-sponsored ordinance (without, of course, mentioning his connections to the Unification Church). There's much more I could say about this guy but suffice it to say that, for some reason, deep corruption in the form of connections to the Unification Church is viewed as a less serious matter than betting on golf and infidelity to your spouse. Go figure!https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20240219_1942411.html?DETAILhttps://www.k-mizoguchi.com/2012/12/20/blog121220133400/ 2024-02-20 09:42 JSTAnother article from Kumamoto Scoop. -- Kirk Masden9 Hot Springs in Kumamoto: Must-Visit Onsen and Nearby Spots | Kumamoto Scoop (this post) 2024-02-19 17:00 JSTKirk here. Any of you been looking at the "Kumamoto Scoop" website? I just learned about it, ironically from a Japanese-language article reporting on this site with information for foreigners. Here's the article that's listed as its most popular. I'm particularly pleased to find this article because the spa is quite near where I live. :)Suizen Luxury Saunahttps://en.akumamoto.jp/archives/220746Japanese news article where I learned about this websitehttps://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000004.000109953.htmlSoothe Your Soul at Yuya Suizen Luxury Sauna & Spa | Kumamoto Scoop 2024-02-19 11:46 JSTKirk here with information about an exhibition that is in progress and the Contemporary Art Museum of Kumamoto.https://www.tokyoartbeat.com/en/events/-/Alfons-Mucha-Multitalented-Artist/30F1158F/2024-02-10Unfortunately, English side of the museum's website only mentions previous exhibitions and not this one:https://www.camk.jp/english/information/It is properly listed, however, on the Japanese site:https://www.camk.jp/Alfons Mucha : Multitalented Artist （Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto） 2024-02-18 18:36 JSTKirk here. Princess Kako will be coming to Kumamoto for the opening of the new TSMC facility:--- start quote ---With the Kumamoto plant slated to open on Feb. 24, the report said TSMC founder Morris Chang (張忠謀), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Princess Kako will cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony.--- end quote ---I guess I should have mentioned Prime Minister Kishida and Morris Chang too but, well, Princess Kako is cuter than the two of them combined. She's a real-life princess that could be in a Disney movie.Princess photo copped from:https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15098667Article on TSMC opening:https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202402170009 2024-02-18 13:43 JSTWilliam "Otsukaresama" to all of our friends who participated in today's marathon. Those with stories and/or photos to share, please PM us and we will ensure that your voice is shared.Shown: Kumamon at the Kanakuri Marathon. 2024-02-18 10:38 JSTLiz here. I am posting the translation of a post made earlier this weekend by Noriko Kimoto , a tea ceremony teacher here in Kumamoto. I think most foreign residents are familiar with Shirakawa Park downtown , next to the police station, but you may not know about the historically and culturally important tea house that sits quietly in the back corner of the park. I had the good fortune to attend a tea ceremony event by Kimoto sensei last year.
