Kirk here. Michaela posted about this the other day. (Thanks Michaela!)
2024-06-03 22:41 JST 2024 Kirk here. Michaela posted about this the other day. (Thanks Michaela!) Kumamoto bus, train firms to drop national IC cards, embrace new cashless payment methods - The MainichiKUMAMOTO -- On May 27, five bus and train operators in Kumamoto Prefecture announced that they would discontinue fare payments using 10 national trans https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240529/p2a/00m/0bu/02 … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 16 · Comments: 6 · Shares: 0 ← 2024-06-02 22:42 JST 2024-06-04 09:38 JST → Around this time … 2024-06-10 15:02 JSTI'm not a big fan of the horses-for-meat industry but, nonetheless, I'm very sorry to hear about this incident. -- KirkMan Caring for Horses for Meat at Ranch Falls Unconscious after Being Kicked in Face by Horse in Kumamoto Pref. 2024-06-09 20:09 JSTKirk here. Kumamoto and Miyagi Prefectures will be the first in Japan to get special treatment that will allow them to bring in foreign workers more quickly. The headline refers to "semiconductor-related personnel" (半導体関連の人材), but I suspect that they are really talking about bringing in foreign construction workers (folks willing to take jobs Japanese people tend to avoid); TSMC has had plenty of time to screen and prepare to bring in highly-trained engineers.--- ChatGPT translation of the article ---Shortage of Semiconductor-related Personnel: Kumamoto Designated as National Strategic Special Zone (Kokka Senryaku Tokku) to Shorten Foreign Worker Residency Screening PeriodJune 6, 2024, 16:32With the advance of TSMC, the severe shortage of personnel has become a critical issue. As a solution, Kumamoto Prefecture has been designated as a "National Strategic Special Zone (Kokka Senryaku Tokku)," allowing for the shortening of the residency status screening period for foreigners employed by semiconductor-related companies.Prime Minister Kishida (June 4, National Strategic Special Zone Advisory Council)In Kumamoto, the concentration of semiconductor-related companies has progressed with TSMC's advance, resulting in a severe shortage of personnel and a growing demand for foreign workers. However, according to the prefecture, currently, issuing a certificate of eligibility for residency status for foreigners requires not only the residency status screening but also the examination of the stability of the employer's management, which can take up to about three months.To address these issues, the prefecture applied for the newly established special zone system by the Cabinet Office aimed at solving regional and social issues.At the National Strategic Special Zone Advisory Council held on the 4th, Kumamoto Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture were designated as the first-ever "Industrial Base Formation Collaboration 'Kizuna' Special Zones" (Sangyō Kyoten Keisei Renkei 'Kizuna' Tokku) nationwide. As a result, the residency status screening period will be shortened to about one month.Governor Takashi Kimura of Kumamoto PrefectureGovernor Kimura commented, "We believe that this will further accelerate the resolution of various issues accompanying the concentration of the semiconductor-related industry and contribute to the realization of the 'New Silicon Island Kyushu'."半導体関連の人材不足『熊本が国家戦略特区に』外国人労働者の在留資格審査期間短縮へ｜KKT NEWS NNN 2024-06-09 10:53 JSTHere's something about an educational innovation in Yamaga. -- KirkNintendo Switch used to teach programming and promote logical thinking in Japanese elementary schools 2024-06-04 15:07 JSTHere's the first in a series, done by local high school students, on historical figures in Kumamoto. -- Kirk https://www.facebook.com/kumamoto.en/posts/pfbid02DomsyWemEGP4HRFVB9P4zX4SLTp7SUVsMvnh2Z5xEov1YedqViYZVympPnPerx5Vl 2024-06-04 09:38 JSTKirk here. Kumamoto Castle has been (temporarily?) overtaken. But the numbers are still close. This shall not stand!! :)https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/travel-spots/20240529-188961/Here's where you can follow Kumamoto Castle and help it fight back!https://www.instagram.com/kumamoto_castle/Matsumoto Castle Becomes Japan’s Most Followed Official Castle Account on Instagram; Overtakes Kumamoto Castle 2024-06-03 22:41 JSTKirk here. Michaela posted about this the other day. …Kumamoto bus, train firms to drop national IC cards, embrace new cashless payment methods - The Mainichi (this post) 2024-06-02 22:42 JSTKirk here. This came to me via a Google news feed for "Kumamoto" because of the following sentence:"On May 24, the Kumamoto city government, in effect, threw its hands in the air and posted a notice on its website stating that people who need certificates quickly should contact the local government of their registered domicile."The phrase "local government of their registered domicile" refers to the fact that the system is designed to help people who don't live in the community where their family register (koseki; 戸籍) is kept obtain the documents they need quickly and easily. If you should be in a position to use it, beware that it's been very buggy.Justice Ministry data-sharing system proves to be a nightmare | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis 2024-05-31 16:13 JSTWilliam Sawako died (if you need advice on Japanese funerals, contact me), and I broke me knee, so I don't get out much. But my two kids are headed home, one from Tokyo and one from Baltimore, at the same time! Sawako and I used to run around the castle each Sunday. The walkway they have installed as reconstruction continues looks amazing, and I greatly look forward to visiting it. Please plan a visit while it is up! 2024-05-30 19:41 JSTThis article from Kumanichi (paywalled) says that from the middle of next year they are planning to stop payments on Kumamoto buses and trams using national transport IC cards such as Suica. The reason is due to the cost of updating the payment machines. Options such as tapping/touching with debit or credit cards will still be possible. I’m wondering if you will still be able to use the Kumamon IC card?? If anyone has access to the full article ask they can share more details that would be great! Michaela 2024-05-30 18:58 JSTWilliam A reminder to all US citizens to register to vote. https://www.facebook.com/CenterForUSVotersAbroadCenter for US Voters Abroad Turnout Project 2024-05-30 00:34 JSTBeautiful bright blue sky and the beautiful fresh green of Kumamoto Castle.Since April this year, I have been at Joto Elementary School very close to Kumamoto Castle. This is an elementary school that values the Kumamoto spirit of Lord Kiyomasa and aims to excel in both the academic and athletic fields. You can see Kumamoto Castle from all the classrooms. I can even see the figures of the castle tower.I shared this photo because I like to see Kumamoto Castle in early summer surrounded by fresh greenery, although it is nice to see Kumamoto Castle during the cherry blossom season. If you climb the keep this week, you'll see me dancing on the playground. ٩(•ᴗ• ٩)Atsuko
