News: It's hot! -- Kirk (The NHK webpage features a video news report in English.)
2024-08-06 15:13 JST 2024 News: It's hot! -- Kirk (The NHK webpage features a video news report in English.) Japan blanketed by intense heat on Monday | NHK WORLD-JAPAN NewsMany parts of Japan remain in the grip of intense heat on Monday, with temperatures rising above 35 degrees Celsius in the morning in some areas. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240805_14/ ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 3 · Comments: 1 · Shares: 0 ← 2024-08-05 22:39 JST 2024-08-07 17:40 JST → Around this time … 2024-08-09 21:25 JSTKirk here with a bit more about our earthquake situation. After yesterday's earthquake, Japan is, as the article states, "on alert for the heightened possibility of a huge earthquake that could cause immense loss of life and property across a wide stretch of the central and western parts of the country." The article provides some basic information about what the "Nankai Trough" is and how to prepare for a major earthquake that might hit it.Kumamoto is near the western edge of the Nankai trough; just as we felt the effects of yesterday's quake we may be significantly affected by a large Nankai trough earthquake, even thought we are not sitting right on top of it. Here's a worst-case scenario: "Such an earthquake could shake much of central and western Japan, simultaneously or in succession, at a magnitude of up to 9, and lead to a tsunami of more than 30 meters in height. This could result in 242,000 deaths, according to a 2023 government document."Magnitude 9 would be about 354.8 times the energy of the M 7.3 quake we experienced in 2016 (according to ChatGPT). (Remember, magnitude is logarithmic, not linear, so 8 is not just "one step" above 7.) A magnitude 9 was what devastated Eastern Japan in 2011.Japan's Nankai Trough earthquake advisory: 5 things to know 2024-08-08 17:00 JSTKirk here. A large earthquake just hit Miyazaki Prefecture. I was sitting at my desk here in Kumamoto and was amazed by the slow undulating motion I felt -- rather unlike anything I've experienced before.https://www.data.jma.go.jp/multi/quake/quake_detail.html?eventID=20240808164625&lang=enThis may not be a significant problem for people in Kumamoto (at least if it ends here) but people in Miyazaki may have suffered serious damage as there was at least one 6- on the Japanese scale. For those of us in Kumamoto, this may end as merely a scary event or there may be more earthquakes to come. As many of you probably remember, in the case of the 2016 Kumamoto quakes, a large shock was followed by an even bigger one the next day. Take care! 2024-08-08 14:32 JSTFor みずあかり たけあかり fans.A permanent exhibition of Mizuakari is on the rooftop of Sakuramachi. As a Mizuakari fan, I participated in helping with the production until yesterday. The opening is tomorrow. I have included a few photos of the work in progress, but the real thing is 100 times more beautiful when you see it at night with your own eyes along with the scenery.Please enjoy this beautiful light with your own eyes, with your own camera and with your loved ones, together with the crescent moon in the cool of the evening.It's really beautiful and makes you happy.(ꕤ ॑꒳ ॑*)ﾉAtsukoーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー'Kaguyahime no Hikaru Niwa in Sakuramachi Kumamoto'This exhibition project is the first paid exhibition.Priority tickets for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays are now on sale for the Kaguyahime no Hikari Niwa Garden, which will open at Sakuramachi Garden on 9 August 2024 (Friday)!For a memorable summer holiday, why not step into a space of light surrounded by overwhelming bamboo lights shining in the moonlit night?Online reservations will give you priority entry even during busy times. Tickets are only available on selected dates and in limited quantities on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, so please buy your tickets as soon as possible.<Outline of the event> "Kaguyahime no Hikari Niwa in Sakura Machi Kumamoto".Date: 9 August (Friday) 2024 - May 2025Venue: Sakuramachi Garden on the rooftop of Sakuramachi KumamotoOpening hours: sunset* to 21:00 (last admission 20:45)Admission: Adults (18 years and older) 2,000 yenJunior high school students (aged 15-17) ¥1,000Children (junior high school students and under/under 15 years old) Free of chargeAdmission: 1) Same-day tickets (sold on site/only same-day tickets/no priority entry. 2)Special advance tickets (sold at the respective partners / no date and time specified / no priority entry) 3) Online tickets (limited time and limited quantity available/specified date and time/priority entry)Sales website: accessed from https://lit.link/chikakenkaguya / Ticket PiaOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chikaken_kaguya/Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chikaken_kaguyaOrganised by: CHIKAKEN / Chikaken Products Inc.https://www.facebook.com/share/v/EnPfTpMjxpf59adD/ 2024-08-08 12:55 JSTKirk here with an update on Hertz's policy toward expats with driver's licenses and passports from different countries.First, for background, here's the URL of my post on the issue from last year:https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0ue3eC5LrJp3LAsUhLQUe7PCwfK7dSuNYeQ5ezzY33LGcw8wke1v5h2ff9ik2VSFxlIn a nutshell, I was told at the Hertz office at the airport in Madison, Wisconsin (USA) that if I have a Japanese driver's license I should have a Japanese passport; or, since I'm an American citizen, I should have a driver's license from a state in the U.S. As you can imagine, I was not a happy camper. I was left without transportation and no refund. Plus, the issue occurred when a convention was being held so none of the other rental agencies had a vehicle I could rent (even though other agencies said that they would not have a problem with my documentation).Unwilling to accept this treatment, I began writing to journalists who had written about Hertz in the past according to information I was able to find searching the web. None of the journalists responded to me but, in the process, I was able to find an image on Twitter of a letter from Hertz CEO at the time Stephen Scherr. The image showed his e-mail address (normally not shared with the public) so I wrote directly to the CEO and listed the media (CBS, New York Times, etc.) that I had written to about the expat-discrimination I faced. I didn't get a response directly from Mr. Scherr but that e-mail got a response from someone at Hertz's "Executive Customer Service." That final resulted in a refund and points that would allow me a free rental during my next visit.The refund was certainly good but the problem now is that I'm unable to use the points because the basic issue is unresolved; the Hertz in Madison, Wisconsin still says that I can't rent with my documents.At least I know in advance this time (I didn't even think to check about this in advance last time). We'll rent elsewhere and let the points sleep for now.I'm considering trying to go through the U.S. consulate in Fukuoka, as I think the US government should stand up for law abiding US taxpayers who face discrimination from ignorant American businesses. In the meantime, if your situation is similar to mine, beware of Hertz! 2024-08-07 17:40 JSTSad news about a girl from Ozu, Kumamoto who drowned in Hastings, Nebraska, USA. -- Kirk P.S. I'll put links to other articles and video in comments.Ozu student has died following July 31 water rescue at Aquacourt 2024-08-06 15:13 JSTNews: It's hot! -- Kirk (The NHK webpage features a video …Japan blanketed by intense heat on Monday | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News (this post) 2024-08-05 22:39 JSTHere's an inquiry that came to the page. Please share any wisdom you may have in a comment.We're looking for ways to send our household items to the U.S. next spring by ship. We've found that the post office charges about half of what a shipping company charges per large cardboard box of 25 kg. We're wondering if the shipping company is better for any reason other than coming to our apartment to pick up the boxes. Any advice? 2024-08-05 15:27 JSTIn local crime -- KirkKumamoto man stabs self just before discovery of corpse of ex-colleague in car 2024-08-04 22:47 JSTRecord setting heat (38.8°C or 101.8°F!!!) in Kumamoto today. -- Kirk --- start ChatGPT translation of article ---Extreme Heat in Nearly All Locations in Kumamoto Prefecture: Record High Temperatures at Five SitesAugust 4 (Sunday) 18:53 ReportKAB Kumamoto Asahi BroadcastingOn the 4th in Kumamoto Prefecture, almost all observation points recorded extremely hot days, with record high temperatures observed at five locations, including Kumamoto City.Due to being covered by a high-pressure system, the strong sunlight, and the continuous inflow of warm air from last week, temperatures have risen in Kumamoto Prefecture.At the Kumamoto City observation point, the highest temperature on record was reached at 3 PM, with 38.8°C (101.8°F). People were seen wiping away sweat as they walked in front of JR Kumamoto Station.Additionally, Tamana City and Asagiri Town recorded 38.4°C (101.1°F), Hitoyoshi City 38.2°C (100.8°F), and Amakusa City 38.1°C (100.6°F), all updating their respective highest temperatures on record.Kosa Town also recorded 38.3°C (100.9°F), marking the highest temperature in August on record, and it became the hottest day for the 17th consecutive day, the highest number ever recorded in the prefecture.On the 4th, almost all observation points in Kumamoto Prefecture recorded extremely hot days, and 65 people were transported due to symptoms of heatstroke.Extreme heat is also expected on the 5th, and a heatstroke warning alert has been issued.--- end translation ---熊本県内ほぼ全地点で猛暑日 ５地点で史上最高気温（KAB熊本朝日放送） - Yahoo!ニュース 2024-08-04 22:37 JSTHere's a newspaper article about the reopening of the bike racing stadium (Kumamoto Keirinjo) that I posted about the other day. -- KirkKumamoto: Keirin Track Reopens 8 Years After Earthquake; G-1 Race to Be Held at Velodrome in 2026 2024-08-02 18:49 JSTKirk here announcing that this year's takigi (touch-lit) noh performance in Suizenji Park will be held tomorrow (August 3). The time of the evening and free admission will be the same as last year (see last year's post, shown below). This year's performance will be of Tamura, which you can read about in English here:https://www.the-noh.com/en/plays/data/program_028.htmlSomeone (I wonder who? hint: it ain't me, but I've been helping with the text) will read a 5-minute or less description in English about the play and some key aspects of noh theatre at the beginning of the program. Otherwise, everything will be in Japanese.https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid05ZFfQsKAkMKHnQxzZQCHHLyqxBfyRCyHPxqiPduAXeqaUcPocSiYzSzc9cs6xNtalSorry for the last-minute notice.
