Kirk here. This One Piece exhibition will last until May 24.
2026-03-25 10:14 JST 2026 Kirk here. This One Piece exhibition will last until May 24. Quake recovery exhibition opens in Kumamoto with ‘One Piece’ tie-inThe exhibition showcasing reconstruction efforts after the April 2016 earthquakes runs from Friday through May 24. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/24/japan/earthquak … 📅 Event details Event:One Piece exhibitionDate:2026-03-25 – 2026-05-24 ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 4 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 0 ← 2026-03-24 22:13 JST 2026-03-25 13:52 JST → Around this time … 2026-03-28 15:43 JSTKumamoto is now filled with beautiful cherry blossoms, especially in Suizenji. Suizenji Jojuen is crowded with many visitors enjoying the Suizenji Festival.The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, creating a stunning scene. People are gathering to celebrate and enjoy the wonderful spring of Kumamoto, Japan.The event runs until tomorrow—don’t miss this chance to experience it! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)وAtsukohttps://www.facebook.com/share/r/18TC4XXGkW/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1JNe92yimf/?mibextid=wwXIfr 2026-03-27 07:21 JSTCassie here: There’s been a lot of bad news lately so here’s some good news. Kumamoto’s Munetaka Murakami (Kyushu Gakuin Graduate) hit a home run in his opening game for the White Sox. It’s pretty amazing to hit a home run in your first game in the MLB. 2026-03-26 16:24 JSTKirk here. The article I introduced about the anti-immigration demonstration that occurred here in Kumamoto included the following statement from an organizer: "While Japanese people are struggling, it is wrong to spend large sums of tax money bringing in foreigners." In fact, however, the majority of economists that responded to a survey (image) answered that an increase in foreigners in Japan tended to improve living standards for Japanese nationals. These survey results were originally published in Japanese. I'll put links to both the English-language and Japanese-language articles in a comment.The journalist who wrote the article about the demonstration in Kumamoto didn't endorse their argument -- he merely reported it. Nonetheless, it would have been nice if he had fact checked it for the benefit of his readers. 2026-03-26 07:52 JST🌸🌸🌸Suizenji Seisui-en Festival 2026We’re holding the ‘Suizenji Seisui-en Festival’ again this year! 😊Highlight 1: Japanese Cultural ExperiencesTry your hand at the Hosokawa-style bonsai, experience yabusame (horseback archery),and enjoy tea ceremonies and ikebana flower arranging…There are plenty of fun activities to try! 🥰Highlight 2: FoodFood trucks and collaborations with Kumamoto Commercial High School,a gathering of delicious treats 🤤Highlight 3: Events at Izumi ShrineMiko dance workshops and observing Shinto wedding ceremonies,be sure to check out these unique shrine eventsthat you don’t get to experience every day 👀✨Highlight 4: ExhibitionsExhibitions including the Morihiro Hosokawa Art Exhibition,the 10th Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake Photo Exhibition, and the Higo Rokka Panel Exhibition,offer plenty to enjoy at your leisure ☺️○ｏ｡..:*･ ･*:..｡ｏ○🌸 Suizenji Jojuen Festival 🌸📅 28 March (Sat) & 29 March (Sun)🕐 10:00–17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)📍 Suizenji Seisui-en / Suizenji Approach / Jane’s House*Free admission for secondary school students and younger🍵 Special Exhibition of Works by Morihiro Hosokawa 🖌️📅 28 March (Sat) – 5 April (Sun)🕐 9:00–16:30📍 Izumi Shrine Office○ｏ｡..:*･ ･*:..｡ｏ○#SuizenjiSeisui-enFestival #DiscoverHigoHosokawaCulture 2026-03-25 13:52 JSTKirk here with some unfortunate news. I'm glad to say, though, that some people are pushing back. I'll put the citation in a comment but first here's a translation by Claude.--- start translation ---50 Attend Anti-Immigration Policy Demo... Nationwide Simultaneous ActionMonday, March 23, 2026On March 22, anti-immigration policy demonstrations were held at 18 locations across the country. In Kumamoto City, where the number of foreign residents has been increasing, a rally was also held in which approximately 50 people voiced opposition to policies being advanced by the government. This was the third such event in Kumamoto, following one on November 30 of last year.At the rally held near the "Kumamoto Machinaka Bicycle Parking – Shinshigai" facility in Chuo Ward, participants spoke in a relay-microphone format. Organizer "Bani" (pseudonym) stated: "We are not calling for the expulsion of foreigners. We are opposed to the immigration policy being pushed by the government. Are we not seeing multiculturalism being forced upon us? While Japanese people are struggling, it is wrong to spend large sums of tax money bringing in foreigners."Afterward, the participants marched from the Shimotori Arcade to Kumamoto City Hall carrying banners reading "Oppose Immigration Policy" and similar messages. The demonstration appeared to target Kumamoto Prefecture (Governor Kimura Takashi), which has announced plans to accept foreign workers for household support services, and Kumamoto City (Mayor Onishi Kazufumi), which granted permission for a venue where Muslims held an "Eid al-Adha" festival at Ninomaru Plaza last June. Chants included "Kumamoto's mayor should listen to the citizens!" and "Protect Japanese jobs!"Meanwhile, several counter-demonstrators gathered around the venue holding placards reading "Kumamoto is a city that coexists with immigrants," "Discrimination kills people," and "Discrimination is shameful." There were moments of heated exchanges between counter-demonstrators and rally participants.(Editorial staff – Miyazaki Taiki) 2026-03-25 10:14 JSTKirk here. This One Piece exhibition will last until May …Quake recovery exhibition opens in Kumamoto with ‘One Piece’ tie-in (this post) 2026-03-24 22:13 JSTKirk here. I was near the castle today and was surprised to see the cherry blossoms on some trees nearly in full bloom. On other trees, the flowers were much fewer and farther between. 2026-03-23 20:47 JSTKirk here. Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9AM Kumamoto Kogyo takes on Osaka Toin, a school with a history of doing well in the Koshien tournament.総合力に優れる大阪桐蔭、熊本工は堅守生かせるか 第6日の見どころ：朝日新聞 2026-03-23 18:16 JSTKirk here. This has gotten a fair amount of coverage in Japan. At first, I had trouble verifying it in English but I was finally able to do so. The overall rating for the airport is 4 stars (out of 5) and there are airports in the world with that 5 of 5 rating. But, for a little regional airport. I think Aso Kumamoto Airport is doing quite well.https://skytraxratings.com/2026-world-airport-awards-are-announced 2026-03-21 21:25 JSTKirk here. The other day Hari posted about Kumamoto-ben. (Thanks Hari! Enjoyed the post!) Here's my dialect related news item, translated and adapted by Claude AI.--- start translation ---"Please Say It in Japanese" — Grand Sumo's "Too Real" Kumamoto Dialect Commentary Leaves Fans Baffled: "I Can't Understand You" / "Give Us Subtitles"Grand Sumo | March 20, 2026, 9:10 PM---THE MATCHGrand Sumo Spring Tournament — Day 13 — March 20 — Edion Arena, OsakaA head-to-head match between two wrestlers from Kumamoto Prefecture had a fellow Kumamoto native providing commentary — in gloriously full-throttle Kumamoto dialect. The result was a warmly chaotic moment, with fans pleading "wakarante (わからんて) — I can't understand you!" and "jimaku dashite (字幕出して) — put up subtitles!"---THE MATCH-UPThe bout featured Fujiaoun (Fujishima stable), a newcomer ranked at maegashira 13, against Shōdai (Tōitsukaze stable), a former ōzeki now ranked at maegashira 8. Fujiaoun is from Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City; Shōdai is from Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture — making this a true hometown showdown.---ENTER THE COMMENTATORProviding color commentary on ABEMA was Tenkaihou, also from Kumamoto — specifically Tamana City — a former maegashira himself. Before the match he said:「藤青雲は中学校の後輩で、近所で子供の時から知ってます。頑張ってもらいたいところではあるんですけど、正代も同郷ですから、この取組楽しみです」"Fujiaoun was my junior at middle school, and I've known him since we were kids in the neighborhood. I want him to do well, but Shōdai is from home too, so I'm really looking forward to this bout."---THE DIALECT MOMENTPlay-by-play announcer Seino Shigeki then asked:「取組への期待を熊本弁で言うとしたら？」"How would you express your excitement for the match in Kumamoto dialect?"Tenkaihou delivered, without missing a beat:「なんさん ふたっともですね、けがせんごつですね。がんばってもらいちゃあって気持ちはあっとばってんですね」Breaking it down:- なんさん ふたっとも (nansan futattomo) = とにかく二人とも = "Anyway, both of them"- けがせんごつ (kega sen gotsu) = けがをしないように = "So that they don't get injured"- がんばってもらいちゃあって (gambatte moraichaatte) = 頑張ってもらいたい = "I want them to give it their all"- あっとばってん (atto baten) = あるんですけどね = "That's how I feel, but..."Full meaning: "Anyway, I want both of them to give it everything they've got without getting hurt."Announcer Seino applauded: "さすがネイティブ！(Sasuga neitivu!) — A true native speaker!" To which Tenkaihou laughed:「大丈夫ですか（笑）？ けっこう自分かなりコテコテの。地元がそうなんですよ、熊本弁すごくて」"Are you okay with that? (laughs) Mine is pretty thick. That's just what my hometown is like — the Kumamoto dialect there is really intense."---THE MATCH ITSELFIn the bout, Shōdai came out with strong forward pressure from the charge, worked in a left-arm underhold (sashi), and drove hard toward the edge — but at the rope, Fujiaoun executed a stunning last-moment twisting throw-down (tsukiotoshi) for a dramatic reversal. Fujiaoun earned his 9th win; Shōdai suffered his 6th loss. The arena erupted.---MORE DIALECT COMMENTARYReviewing the replay, Tenkaihou kept the dialect going:「正代に左差されたけんが、タツキ（藤青雲）もやびゃーねーと思ったんですよ。ばってん、一回振っとってから右から突き落とし。このタイミング良かったですね」Breaking it down:- 〜けんが (ken ga) = 〜だから / 〜ので = "because / since"- やびゃーねー (yabyā nē) = やばいよね / まずいよね = "That's bad, isn't it / Uh oh"- ばってん (batten) = だけど / でも = "But / However"Full meaning: "Since Shōdai got his left arm in, I thought Tatsuki (Fujiaoun) was in real trouble. But he shook him off once and then went for the throw-down from the right. The timing on that was great."Announcer Seino reflected: 「熊本弁で聞くとまた違った印象がありますね」"Hearing it in Kumamoto dialect gives it a whole different feel."---FAN REACTIONSTenkaihou's humor-filled dialect commentary charmed fans — though many threw up their hands:- 「わからんて」— "I can't understand you!" (itself Kumamoto/Kyushu dialect for わからないよ)- 「字幕出して」— "Put up subtitles!"- 「日本語でお願いします」— "Please say it in Japanese!" (the joke being: he technically was)- 「わかるようでわからんｗ」— "I kind of get it but kind of don't lol"- 「そろそろ標準語で…」— "Maybe standard Japanese now..."(Source: ABEMA / Grand Sumo Channel)「日本語でお願いします」大相撲、“ガチすぎる”熊本弁解説にファン困惑「わからんて」「字幕出して」 | 大相撲 | ABEMA TIMES | アベマタイムズ 2026-03-19 11:03 JSTKirk here with an AI translation of something I found interesting. It rings true to me because I've had the pleasure of meeting some young people from other countries as they walk to work in a nearby hospital.Foreign Care Workers in Kumamoto Prefecture Reach 1,107 — A Thousand-Person Increase in Five Years2024-12-06Kumamoto Nichinichi ShimbunArticle SummaryThe number of foreign nationals working in care facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture has grown from 134 in fiscal year 2019 to 1,107 in fiscal year 2024. Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines are the most common countries of origin, and approximately 60% of these workers hold "Specified Skilled Worker" residency status. The prefecture has begun offering rent subsidies to facilities that employ foreign care workers, and is working to further strengthen its capacity to receive them.Against a backdrop of nationwide labor shortages in the care sector, Kumamoto Prefecture is projected to face a shortfall of 4,820 care workers in fiscal year 2026 and 9,554 by fiscal year 2040, making foreign workers an increasingly vital part of the workforce.
