Kirk here looking forward to delicious watermelons arriving in my local supermarket! :)
2024-03-15 14:55 JST 2024 Kirk here looking forward to delicious watermelons arriving in my local supermarket! :) Watermelon Shipments Begin in Southern Japan; Grown in Greenhouse in Kumamoto’s Ueki AreaShipments of greenhouse-grown watermelons have begun in Kumamoto’s Ueki district, one of the nation’s leading watermelon-producing areas. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/2024031 … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 20 · Comments: 2 · Shares: 1 ← 2024-03-15 10:00 JST 2024-03-16 10:45 JST → Around this time … 2024-03-19 21:06 JSTKirk here with more TSMC news:--- start quote ---One option the chipmaking giant is considering is bringing its chip-on-wafer-on-substrate (CoWoS) packaging technology to Japan, according to one of the sources who was briefed on the matter.CoWoS is a high-precision technology that involves stacking chips on top of each other, boosting processing power while saving space and reducing power consumption.Currently, all of TSMC's CoWoS capacity is in Taiwan.--- end quote ---TSMC eyes advanced chip packaging capacity in Japan, sources say 2024-03-19 16:11 JSTKirk here. In response to Joe's post about Charichari (the bicycle rental service), Atsuko shared this link. Thanks Atsuko! Thanks Joe!https://charichari.bike/blog/chari-guide-2023-enOriginal post by Joe:https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid02mJPBJ913rYKteDntQDiz4j14aha9bjCpCeP3wkvdjMEoRJCBj6cA3fobcfmBR9x9lGuide to Charichari in English | チャリチャリ 2024-03-17 15:22 JSTKirk here with an AI translated article on the election that I tweaked slightly:--- start translation ---Kumamoto governor election, Kimura and Koyama compete - Effectively a ruling vs. opposition party showdownThe Kyodo News Agency conducted a telephone survey on the 15th and 16th regarding the Kumamoto prefectural governor election (voting and ballot counting on the 24th). The leading canditates are vice-governor Kei Kimura (49) [recommended by the LDP and Komeito] and former Kumamoto City mayor Masashi Koyama (58).The prefectural organizations of the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party are independently supporting Mr. Koyama, effectively making it a ruling party vs. opposition party showdown.In terms of support by political party, Mr. Kimura has the support of 70% of those who answered they support the LDP, nearly 90% of Komeito supporters, and has penetrated nearly 50% of those who support the Japan Innovation Party. Mr. Koyama has secured nearly 80% of the supporters of the Constitutional Democratic Party and Social Democratic Party, and nearly 90% of the Communist Party supporters.Hidenori Mori (46), president of a construction company, and Kazuhiko Miyagawa (58), a former high school teacher, are facing an uphill battle.--- end translation ---Personally, I'm not a fan of conservative parties -- either in Japan or in my home country (the U.S.). So, I'd far prefer to see Mr. Koyama elected, though have nothing against Mr. Kimura personally.I understand that the LDP fat cats are paying close attention to this election as a sort of indirect referendum on their leadership after all of the recent scandals.熊本知事選、木村・幸山両氏競る/デイリースポーツ online 2024-03-16 14:21 JSTKirk here. This item, which came to me via a Google news alert for "Kumamoto," made me smile. I imagined an intrepid explorer and his expedition party, trudging through the "unexplored regions" of Kumamoto in search of liquid gold -- honey. 😉 It seems that "unexplored" is the word used to translate the Japanese 秘境 (hikyo). Here's how ChatGPT defines hikyo:--- start ChatGPT explanation --- The Japanese word "秘境" (hikyō) refers to a "hidden or secret place," often implying a location that is remote, secluded, or difficult to access. These places are usually untouched or unspoiled by human activity and can be thought of as hidden gems in nature, offering pristine and often breathtaking environments. They are often sought after for their untouched beauty, mystery, and the sense of adventure they evoke in exploring unknown or little-known locales.--- end ChatGPT explanation ---I guess "unexplored" is sort of close. Yet, as translations go, I would put this in the "close but no cigar" category. Words like "pristine" or "isolated" might have been better. The place can't be "unexplored" because, obviously, somebody did some "exploring" in order to find the honey.The reason I can say with confidence that "秘境" is the Japanese word that led to the "unexplored" description is that searching for information about the honey brand led me to the original Japanese-language text. Here's the URL of the Japanese:https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000132298.htmlAnd here's the URL of what came to me in English:https://ktla.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/695639095/premium-honey-enju-sourced-from-the-unexplored-regions-of-kumamoto-japan-is-available-online-for-a-limited-quantity/Both texts explain that the honey comes from an isolated, mountainous area near Kikuchi. I have no doubt that the honey is good but, at over 30,000 yen per little jar, I think this honey will have to remain "unexplored" -- at least by me. 😉 2024-03-16 10:45 JSTWilliam If you've got a car, a tent, and a bit of cash, you could do worse than to visit Toimisaki 都井岬（といみさき） in Miyazaki Prefecture. The location is famed for its native breed of horse called "Misaki uma" 「御崎馬（みさきうま）」. They're a unique example of dwarfism, when an animal migrating to an area with minimal resources evolves to a smaller size. https://www.tabirai.net/sightseeing/tatsujin/0000480.aspx Recently, the American television "Shogun" has featured these horses - due to their small size, they make riders appear larger. Compared with most horse breeds, they are quite docile, with even the feral types allowing people to visit closely and pet them. For a taste of ancient Japan, Toimisaki is a must-visit. (Disclaimer: I am unaware of the exact breed of the horse used in the film, but it's small size indicates that it is a Misaki uma.) The Guardian reports on the success of the series: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/mar/15/the-guide-130-shoguns-tv-mastery 2024-03-15 14:55 JSTKirk here looking forward to delicious watermelons arriving …Watermelon Shipments Begin in Southern Japan; Grown in Greenhouse in Kumamoto’s Ueki Area (this post) 2024-03-15 10:00 JSTJoe Tomei here. It's Friday and you know what that means! Another Funky Friday Find! This week, I'd like to introduce Kanelujah, a newly opened coffee shop. It's a short walk from the Dobutsuen mae tram station. There are two parking spaces just down the street.It's a short walk for me, being just behind Kengun jinja, so it's become a go-to place, but they also have some baking classes and a small video theatre and I've posted the notices they have, though you'll have to check on how that works. For me, it's the coffee and baked goods! The FFF map is herehttps://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharingAnd the shops Instagram page is herehttps://www.instagram.com/kanelujah/ 2024-03-14 16:42 JSTKirk here. The image you see is of a newspaper (Asahi) article about KDS (Kumamoto Driving School) classes in various languages for foreigners. There have been several Japanese-language media reports about such classes, most or all of which are indexed on the school's website at the following address:https://www.k-ds.net/international_blog/internationalThis page has a subtitle that reads as follows: "Foreign staff support foreigners in obtaining their driver's licenses" （外国の方の免許取得を外国人スタッフがサポートします）. I'm not sure but I think I recognize one person in the picture who I've met and is a native speaker of English (apologies if my memory is incorrect).The newspaper article talks about classes for people from Vietnam and Myanmar and says that such classes have been provided for people from at least eight countries. The article says that one of the teachers (a Japanese person, judging from the name) speaks Tagalog. The classes help people understand the meaning of various signs and to learn Japanese traffic rules. The website lists a toll-free number. The person who answers may not speak English (or at least I'm not sure about that) but, at the very least, if you ask about the "international division" (国際課; kokusaika) you should be able to find out more.By the way, here are some previous posts about driving in Japan:Inquiry with many responses about driving schoolshttps://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0HqmbqyV2A3JsEoZPbyfw9EYEsGNEzqU5ebcPXqNHieTKU9cZkasGhtXGK6Y8jpRElLaws about "distracted driving" (driving while looking at your phone)https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid02Mjce1sNnbMujCzowHaQc4RgYrhZDT5JH23yfFTvfN5DVqnke9JMUYKF6U9DS4eRDl 2024-03-14 12:07 JSTWilliam I eat at McDonalds maybe twice a year when my daughter returns from America. It always reminds me of why I don't eat there more often. Kumanichi points out that their largest US competitor, Burger King, will make Higo inroads with a stand in Yatsushiro, maybe targeting the cruise ship crowd. There are, really, very few reasons to visit Yatsushiro, and this has made it one fewer.「バーガーキング」が熊本初出店 13日、八代市にオープン 人気の「ワッパーチーズ」など提供｜熊本日日新聞社 2024-03-12 20:16 JSTFor MIZUAKARI fans. Atsuko⸜(*ˊᗜˋ*)⸝ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーToday! It's finally on the air!CHIKAKEN will be introduced to 160 countries and regions around the world!NHK WORLD TV'sNHK WORLD TV's "Direct Talk" program!Please watch it!The first broadcast: Tuesday, March 12, 10:15~. Second broadcast: Tuesday, March 12, 14:15 Third broadcast: Tuesday, March 12, 20:40 - *Fourth broadcast: Tuesday, March 12, 20:40 Fourth broadcast: Wednesday, March 13, from 1:15 p.m.The program will be broadcast a total of four times.NHK WORLD TV is viewed in approximately 160 countries and regions around the world.NHK WORLD TV is viewed in about 160 countries and regions around the world.https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ja/world/howto/If you are in an environment where you can watch NHK WORLD programs locallyNHK WORLD TV can be viewed through your TV set,If you are not able to watch NHK WORLDIf you are not able to view the program, please click on the following addressIf you are not able to view the programs, you can click on the address below and watch them live on your PC or other device.In Japan, you can basically watch the program on your PC, tablet, or smartphone.http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/live/Connect an Amazon Fire TV Stick or similar device to your TV and download the NHK WORLD JAPAN app on the screen,You can watch it on your TV in Japan.https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/directtalk/20240312/2105096/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/directtalk/20240312/2105096/?fbclid=IwAR37U_FtuYNR605GLouMAcB6oDbDObM7ejRhqWQ_hfd9fDk-ewP8xTeK57IBringing People Together with Bamboo Lanterns: Mishiro Kenshi / Take-Akari Director - Direct Talk - TV | NHK WORLD-JAPAN Live & Programs 2024-03-12 19:15 JSTKirk with a note on the governor's race. The gentlemen in the picture is MOHRI Hidenori (毛利秀德). The bad news is that he's taking an anti-foreign stance. The good news is that I don't think he has any real change of winning.--- quote from interview in Kumanichi ---Q: Your motto is "Politics by the Japanese, for the Japanese" but there are many foreigners living in Kumamoto.A: Appropriate measures should be taken for those who are currently living here, but when it comes to the use of various systems such as welfare and health insurance, there should be a distinction between Japanese and foreigners. The number of foreigners is increasing due to the country's immigration policy, and there are many foreigners and foreign capital buying land in Japan. If this continues, Japanese culture will disappear. If I become governor, I will also consider stopping the prefecture's efforts towards multicultural coexistence.--- end of disturbing quote ---Translated by ChatGPT with a little tweaking by Kirk https://kumanichi.com/articles/1352081--- original Japanese text ---－モットーは「⽇本⼈による⽇本⼈のための政治」です。県内には外国⼈も多く住んでいますが。「今住んでいる⼈には、それなりの対応が必要だろうが、⽣活保護や健康保険といった各種の制度の利⽤については⽇本⼈と外国⼈で線引きすべきだ。国の移⺠政策で外国⼈は増えており、⽇本の⼟地を買う外国⼈や外国資本も多い。このままでは⽇本⼈の⽂化もなくなる。知事になったら、県の多⽂化共⽣の取り組みを⽌めることも検討する」--- end original Japanese ---I'll write a bit more about the race for the governor's office some other day.
