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Kirk here with a COVID-19 update. Four people in Kumamoto were determined to have caught the virus today and two may have Omicron. The results of tests to determine whether or not any of these cases are Omicron will be announced on Friday.
４人感染確認　熊本県内の新型コロナ　10月27日以来の複数｜熊本日日新聞社
　熊本県と熊本市は５日、新たに４人の新型コロナウイルス感染を発表した。複数の感染確認は昨年１０月２７日以来。県内の感染者の累計は１万４４０１人（うち熊本市８２５２人）となった。

Kirk here with sports: "In slopestyle, Murase and Miyabi Onitsuka went one-two in the first event of the season held on Saturday in Calgary, Canada." Murase is pictured in this article but Kumamoto's Miyabi Onituska is continuing to perform extremely well -- a feat made all the more amazing by her roots here in Kumamoto. Go Miyabi!
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220104/p2g/00m/0sp/031000c
P.S. If you missed it, look at this video of Miyabi Onitsuka in action from last year:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/5076847282388663
Olympics: Snowboarding to give Japan an edge as Hanyu chases history - The Mainichi
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's hopes of a record medal tally at the Beijing Winter Games rest on the shoulders of its snowboarding high-flyers, while Yuzuru

Kirk here with some notes on Minamata disease. This article is from about a month ago but I just got around to reading though it and some other articles that I had clipped earlier. I wanted to share it, even though it's in Japanese, to underscore the "it's not over yet" aspect of the Minamata disease issue.
The article is about a court case demanding the Minamata disease certification of 7 people. At the time of the article, the legal proceedings had just concluded; a verdict is scheduled to be rendered on March 30th of this year.
There's a sense in which it's hard to believe that litigation related to Minamata disease is still ongoing. But, in my view, this drawn-out process is the result of the government's insistence on limiting the scope of the assistance they provide to victims. Victory in one legal case forces the door open a bit and that leads others to file suit based on that precedent, and then that case opens the door a bit more allowing others to follow.
It's interesting to me that I haven't been able to find an article about this particular case in English, despite all of the focus on the MINAMATA movie. It was frequently noted, as I recall, that the Minamata disease issue "isn't over" but, as far as I know, this concrete example of it not being over didn't get mentioned.
水俣病認定訴訟が結審　来年3月判決　熊本地裁：朝日新聞デジタル
　水俣病被害者互助会の男女7人が熊本、鹿児島両県に水俣病の患者認定を求めた訴訟が26日、熊本地裁（佐藤道恵裁判長）で結審した。母親のおなかの中でメチル水銀の被害を受けた胎児性水俣病患者と同世代の原告た…

Kirk here with a note about Yokoi Shonan, an intellectual from Kumamoto who, as one Japanese book about him says, drew the blueprint for the Meiji Restoration:
徳永 洋、『横井小楠―維新の青写真を描いた男』 (新潮新書) 新潮社、2005.
The English-language Wikipedia page about him makes a similar case for his influence:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokoi_Shōnan
He hasn't gotten as much attention of Sakamoto Ryoma or others involved in the events leading up to the Meiji Restoration but his ideas seem to have been seminal.
I took the photo this summer at Shonan Park in the Mashiki area:
https://www.jalan.net/kankou/spt_43201aj2200024085/
I'd like to visit the Memorial Hall (横井小楠記念館) someday but I haven't gotten around to that yet:
English
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/en/spots/detail/64
Japanese
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/spots/detail/64

Happy New Year! Atsuko here.
Did you go to the New Year's visit? Some of you may want to wear a kimono.
There is a kimono shop ''和 collection 美都'' in Suizenji Park where you can rent a kimono to wear.
My daughter is going to have her coming-of-age ceremony, so we rented a kimono there and wore it. Some people who have worn yukata and kimono there, but it's not so well known that you can also wear furisode and hakama there, many various Kimono not only Yukata. If you want to wear furisode or hakama, you need to make an appointment as it takes time.
Kimono can be rented for a day, so you can visit Suizenji Park and then go to Kumamoto Castle for fun. I rented a kimono for two days and one night (extra charge) and enjoyed dinner in a kimono too.
P.S. If you want to take a professional photographer to Suizenji Park, there is an extra charge (10000 yen) to enter the park.
Please enjoy the New Year in Kumamoto, Kimono and Kumamoto Castle lots(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
https://wa-collection.jp/

Kirk again sharing a long version of the video that I posted here:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/6603231066416936
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1233322433745665

Kirk here reporting that Kumamon can now be seen in a video for Indian kids. You can see the video on YouTube at the following URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMY4TNf0W_A
The song is in Hindi (?) but the video has English and Japanese subtitles.
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/af7bc66442ee-feature-japanese-mascot-kumamon-teaches-hygiene-to-indian-kids-in-dance-video.html
FEATURE: Japan mascot Kumamon teaches hygiene to Indian kids in dance video
Kumamon, the popular black bear-like mascot of southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, is being used to teach hygiene to Indian children while dancing to a Hindi song in a video recently released by Japan's aid agency, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Happy new year from Kirk! I've already posted a new year's image by my daughter, Mia Marie Masden, but here's one more. As with yesterday's image you are all free to share or reuse it if you like but Mia would like to be tagged if you use/share the image on Facebook and to have her name mentioned if you use it in another context.

Kirk here wishing everyone a happy new year! Tomorrow is the first day of the Year of Tiger in the Chinese zodiac. My daughter, Mia Marie Masden made this nengajo (年賀状; new year's card) featuring a rather portly tiger and gave me permission to share it here. She said that you are all free to share or reuse it if you like but that she would like to be tagged if you use/share the image on Facebook and to have her name mentioned if you use it in another context.
P.S. The tiger says he has absolutely no intention of losing any weight in 2022. His dietary needs are now satisfied by Uber Eats and so he has no need to get in shape to chase deer and other hard-to-catch animals.

Fiona here with my last post of 2021. The Tatsuda-yama area of Kumamoto city offers many accessible walking trails and nature-viewing opportunities all year round. Matsuri Hiroba, which can be reached from Kita Bypass or Shimizu, has a car park, brand new toilet facilities and a lovely new play area perfect for families to visit during the winter holidays. If you're driving through in the evening you also stand a good chance of seeing wild boar, rabbits and other woodland creatures you might not expect to find so close to downtown Kumamoto.

Kirk here with a headline form the Kumanichi (the local rag): First steps taken to turn Kumamoto into "Kumamon Land"
This sounds like an April Fool's prank but it seems legit. Of course, I don't think we need to worry about changing our addresses from "Kumamoto-ken" to "Kumamon Land" anytime soon, but it does seem that "Kumamon Land" will be a major promotional campaign. The article says that it will have a place in the prefectural budget (for implementation and/or promotion) but I don't see an exact amount.
熊本を「くまモンランド」に　県構想、22年度始動へ　「会える場」陸海空の玄関口に｜熊本日日新聞社
　熊本県が２０２２年度、県内全域で「くまモン」の魅力や世界観を伝える「くまモンランド化構想」を始動させることが３０日、分かった。熊本市中心部にある交流施設を改装し、新たに空や陸、海の玄関口にも「会える...

Kirk here with a "Best of 2021" list. The criteria were determined by Facebook. I think these posts were selected for their "reach" (number of people who saw them) and "engagement" (instances of clicking, liking, commenting, etc.).
Number 1 according to these criteria was the following post about MINAMATA (the movie) by Andrew:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/5995116257228423
Number 2 was a post by William about a roadside hotdog stand:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/6080791558660892
Number 3 was about a cup available from Starbucks (this one and those below were by yours truly):
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/6146286448778069
Number 4 was about a Nepalese restaurant:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/6363218917084820
Number 5 was a new year's card by my daughter:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/4750128471727214
Number 6 was about how English is used (misused?) in Japan / Kumamoto:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/5257050087701714
Since I post a lot, it's not surprising that some of the post that got fairly big reactions were by me -- even a poor shot will hit the target from time to time if he/she shoots enough. I think it's worth noting that the most popular posts were not be me. My takeaway from this result is that I can't maintain the page by myself. Both in terms of quality and quantity, the contributions of other editors of the page are invaluable.
At this writing, I'm just ending a little trip to my wife's hometown. I didn't ask for help but, almost as though on cue, Carlton, Atsuko and Fiona stepped in to fill the gap with useful and interesting posts. Thanks! I hope all the editors who were active in 2021 will continue to contribute in 2022 and that others will choose to come on board. よろしくお願いします。

Kirk here, asking "Sento, anyone?" The website (which contains a Google map showing the location) for this sento is
https://yoyasu.kuma1010.com
https://japan-forward.com/hidden-wonders-of-japan-sento-in-kumamoto-welcomes-foreigners-to-bathe-with-mascot/
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Sento in Kumamoto Welcomes Foreigners to Bathe with Mascot | JAPAN Forward
Yoyasuyu, a public bathhouse in Kumamoto, has been temporarily decorated with illustrations of Kumamon, the adorable bear that serves as the region’s publicity mascot.

Fiona here with a suggestion for a winter day trip to Amakusa. Since there are currently no escape rooms in Kumamoto, the next best thing for me is a Real Treasure Hunt. This one, The Timeless Treasure of Shiro Amakusa, involves solving several puzzles scattered around the area with prizes for the winners. It's free to take part - you just need to pick up a puzzle form at the tourist information centre in Amakusa-shi. It's a great way to support the local economy if you eat out and do a little souvenir shopping while you're there. The puzzles usually require knowledge of kanji, and some of the clues will lead you to places that might be hard to reach by public transport so it's recommended to go by car.
Find out more at
時を越える天草四郎の宝 | hunters-village
ハンターズヴィレッジは様々な種類の「宝探し」が集まるサイトです。クエスト情報をご紹介しています。

Carlton here with an update for some at least on booster vaccinations in Kumamoto city.
First of all, hats off to Kumamoto City’s 24-7 Covid hotline for foreign residents. I gave it a call earlier today at this number: 092-687-7962. It is not a toll-free call.
The line was answered in two rings by a man speaking Japanese who then also said “hello”. I told him that I wished to use English and he told me to hold. This hotline is supposedly able to handle the following languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, Nepalese, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Malay, Burmese, Khmer, Mongolian, Sinhala
After a very short pause a fluent English-speaking woman came on the line and I told her first that it was not an emergency and that I was not sick. The main purpose of the line is to help people who cannot speak Japanese to report symptoms of suspected Covid infection and get help.
I told her I just had questions about how one could learn about getting a booster shot. She then took down my inquiry and asked me to hold while she arranged to get the answers.
Another not long pause and she was back on the line in a 3 way conversation now with a representative of the Kumamoto government Covid-19 Consultation Center. The lady assisting me then relayed my questions in Japanese to the consultant, and then translated the responses back to me in English. We could all hear each other, and it was accomplished smoothly and professionally.
The questions I asked pertained to my particular situation but I’m happy to share what I found out.. I am over 65 years in age and received my 2nd Pfizer vaccination on June 9 of 2021 at a Kumamoto clinic. As more than 6 months have passed since June 9 I knew I was eligible for a booster jab, and I wanted to know how to go about getting one ASAP.
The answer was that all Kumamoto residents over 65 years old who received their vaccinations in Kumamoto and have passed _7_ months since their 2nd jab will automatically be mailed “coupons” for them to use to get their boosters. In my case I was told to expect to get my coupon by mid-January and then follow through accordingly.
I was told that if I had not received my coupon by mid January that I should call the Covid Vaccination Call Center at 096-300-5577 to report the problem. The translator told me she thought that number would also be handled by multilingual personnel as well when it begins operation.
For any of you reading this, here is the website with the information, links, and telephone number for you to remember. I recommend bookmarking this: <http://www.kuma-koku.jp/support-center/page249.html>
【English】Multilingual Phone Interpreting for COVID-19 Consultations / 熊本県外国人サポートセンター / 熊本県国際協会
【English】Multilingual Phone Interpreting for COVID-19 Consultations 最終更新日：2020年12月9日  It is possible to have consultations about COVID-19 in your own language. (19 supported languages)What kind of consultations are supported?Advise people who suspect they may have COVID-19 (Th...

Hi, Atsuko here.
I've thought all area of Kumamoto city might have snow but it seems only South Ward got it?
Around my house, South Ward Karikusa, we got enough snow to make Snowman and play snowball fight(੭ ᐕ)੭

Carlton. A towering figure in the fight for human rights and a Nobel Prize winner because of it has sadly passed away. I admired Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa very much. <https://news.yahoo.com/south-africas-tutu-anti-apartheid-071328707.html>
South Africa's Tutu - anti-apartheid hero who never stopped fighting for "Rainbow Nation"
, (Reuters) -"Like falling in love" is how Archbishop Desmond Tutu described voting in South Africa's first democratic election in 1994, a remark that captured both his puckish humour and his profound emotions after decades fighting apartheid. Desmond Mpilo Tutu, the Nobel Peace laureate whose moral...

Kirk with something that came up in a Google news search for "Kumamoto." The article was occasioned by the recent tragedy in Osaka. The fire in Kumamoto was not arson but its scale was even bigger than the fire at the clinic:
"On November 29, 1973, another major fire at Taiyō Department Store in Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, resulted in 104 fatalities and 124 injuries."
Major Fires in Japan Since 1925
Arson was the cause of half of Japan’s 10 major fires with 10 or more fatalities in the twenty-first century so far.

Carlton here and exercising his editorial prerogative to wish everyone to whom it means something Merry Christmas!

Kirk here. Yesterday, Kumamoto had it's first new case of COVID-19 in 40 days. At this writing, it hasn't been determined if the person has the Omicron variant or not.
I heard an interesting segment on NPR about the lull that we've been experiencing here in Japan:
The riddle of Japan's dramatic drop in COVID numbers
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/20/1065159384/the-riddle-of-japans-dramatic-drop-in-covid-numbers
One point it raised was that our neighbor Korea is experiencing a surge in cases even though it "has fully vaccinated more than 90% of its adult population. And masking up in public is the norm in that country too." So, that makes it somewhat difficult to explain why Japan should be so different.
I'm glad that we are getting a bit of a respite here but I'm not counting on it lasting -- especially with reports of the local transmission (shichu kansen [市中感染]) of Omicron. It's probably just a matter of time before cases begin to appear in Kumamoto. So, I'm planning to get a booster shot at my first opportunity and avoid unnecessary risks.
Stay safe as you enjoy the holiday season!
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kumamoto/20211224/5000014314.html
熊本県 新型コロナ新たに１人感染 ４０日ぶりに感染確認｜NHK 熊本県のニュース
熊本県と熊本市は２４日、新たに１人が新型コロナウイルスに感染していることが確認されたと発表しました。 感染が確認されたのは、大阪から熊本…