Here's something about an educational innovation in Yamaga. -- Kirk
2024-06-09 10:53 JST 2024 Here's something about an educational innovation in Yamaga. -- Kirk Nintendo Switch used to teach programming and promote logical thinking in Japanese elementary schoolsA city in Kumamoto prefecture has launched a successful initiative to teach programming to 6th graders using Nintendo Switch consoles. https://automaton-media.com/en/news/nintendo-switch-used-to- … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 16 · Comments: 18 · Shares: 2 ← 2024-06-04 15:07 JST 2024-06-09 20:09 JST → Around this time … 2024-06-12 12:20 JSTSurely a temporary setback, probably due to some sort of glitch in Instagram's algorithm. ;) -- Kirkhttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/3367/ 2024-06-11 23:59 JSTKirk here. This video of Starlink satellites (Space X, Elon Musk) was recorded in California last year (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8OxL4twwrU) but I'm prompted to post it today because a similar sight has been reported here in Kumamoto:Good still shot:https://kumanichi.com/articles/1129996Video (but not quite as good):https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/kkt/category/life/kk874e00e94d1c4cb6aeed45f7e0071a2bIf you are a night owl (or an EXTREMELY early riser) you can see the satellites on their next flyby which is as follows:Timings with good visibility3:43 am, 12 Jun 2024Starlink-170 (G10-1) (new), BRIGHT (3.1) for 4 minsLook from NORTHWEST to SOUTHEAST (details)Elevation (from horizon): start: 10°, max: 58��, end: 11°4:03 am, 12 Jun 2024Starlink-171 (G8-8) (new), BRIGHT (1.6) for 4 minsLook from NORTHWEST to SOUTHEAST (details)Elevation (from horizon): start: 10°, max: 72��, end: 11°https://findstarlink.com/#1853433;3 2024-06-11 16:00 JSTKirk here. The photo you see is of a clean room at Kumadai."Kumamoto University -- located in Kumamoto prefecture, where TSMC is building its chip production complex -- established a semiconductor device curriculum in fiscal 2024. Students wearing protective suits receive hands-on training in a clean room built on the school's premises."https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/Japan-universities-gear-up-to-train-new-generation-of-chip-talent 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. …Nintendo Switch used to teach programming and promote logical thinking in Japanese elementary schools (this post) 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. (Thanks Michaela!)Kumamoto bus, train firms to drop national IC cards, embrace new cashless payment methods - The Mainichi 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!
