Posts

Kirk here sharing some information from the Kumamoto Booklovers group. The text that follows is from the group and merely copied and pasted by yours truly:
Happy Holidays everyone! Any book worms, book collectors, book obsessed, etc people out there looking for a place to share their ideas, discuss and enjoy new friendships? Booklovers is always looking for new members to join our discussions. We've taken a brief break through the pandemic but are looking to come back stronger than ever in 2022. We'll be holding a meeting (online or in-person, depending on the situation) at the end of January and discussing the book Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. Hope to see some of you around!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/331427137782/

Kirk here with a note about Kurokawa Onsen. An article entitled: "11 best illuminations and light displays in Japan" lists the illumination at Kurokawa Onsen you see in the picture as 5th on their list:
https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/best-illuminations-and-light-displays-in-japan

Kirk here with some local news (a lecture addressed to kids at Mifune High School by Kyoko Nishikawa) that has national and international implications:
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14499575
Out of curiosity, I took at look a the following Japanese article to see how her comments were summarized in Japanese:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/0651380f3c1d543ecc90d8df8d6a15ec3d6efdc3
According the Japanese text, she seems to have been telling the students that Japan was pursuing a just war because the goal of the Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was to help the people of Asia prosper economical and to achieve independence from colonial powers. Of course, it is correct to observe that that is how the Japanese government sold the war effort to the public at the time. But, if anyone believes that that was in fact the primary objective of the government as a whole, well, if you believe that I know of some swampland in Florida you may wish to purchase.
The statement was remarkable in part because she was once a senior vice education minister and her speech, given in a prefectural school (not a private school), is at odds with the Ministry of Education's official position.
By the way, one more connection with Kumamoto is that her husband was the mayor of Tsunagi-machi:
https://www.town.tsunagi.lg.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=1093&sub_id=1&flid=2792
University chief justifies Pacific War in high school lecture | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
The Kumamoto prefectural board of education has confirmed that a university president and former Diet member defended the Pacific War as a just cause in a lecture she gave to high school students.

Kirk here trying to find an appropriate balance between providing information that may be of interest to Kumamoto's international community while, at the same time, being sensitive to the rights and interests of members of that community that have been accused of criminal activity.
For the past few days, RKK has been reporting on the arrest of a non-Japanese resident of Kumamoto on suspicion of inappropriate sexual behavior at a local onsen. Until today, I decided against posting about it because I couldn't see much value in doing so. Today, however, RKK reported that their video about the arrest has gotten far more traffic on the web than other news items. One reason may be the salacious nature of the news itself. I'm afraid, though, that another reason may be that anti-foreign denizens of the internet have taken an interest is spreading the news as confirmation of their xenophobic stance. So, in that sense, I felt that non-Japanese residents of Kumamoto should at least be aware that this sort of news is going around. According to the last report I heard, by the way, the accused person is denying the charges.

Kirk here with a little inquiry about language exchange possibilities. An English student of mine mentioned that he found it hard to get motivated to study English when he didn't have anyone to talk to. A few other students use HelloTalk (mentioned in this article) and that might be a solution. The article also indicates that Facebook can be used for language exchange.
Whether the actual exchange occurs on Facebook or on another platform, I wonder if this page might not facilitate such mutually beneficial exchanges. Personally, I'm married to a native speaker of Japanese so my needs are met, but I'd love to see the page function in this way.
Please share your thoughts and/or experiences with online language exchanges in comments.
10 Top Language Exchange Apps & Websites [2021 Update]
If you want to speak a new language with confidence, you should get as much speaking practice as possible. Anyone who has mastered a second language knows this to be true. It’s pretty much the only “trick” for faster language learning that actually works! But if you’re learning a language th...

Kirk again. I just posted about an accident that occurred in Yatsushiro where the driver is suspected of having stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake -- an all-too-common kind of accident.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/6439497996123578
The following article is about an innovative manufacturer in Tamana with a solution -- a single-pedal system in which the same kind of confusion can't occur.
Hopes on Onepedal Growing for Preventing Car Accidents
Tamana, Kumamoto Pref., Aug. 19 (Jiji Press)--Orders are flooding in for a device, called Onepedal, which wa…

Kirk here. There have been quite a few incidents reported in the media in recent years of accidents that occurring when elderly drivers accidentally step on the accelerator instead of the brake. That's what seems to have happened at this hardware store (home center) in Yatsushiro.
https://www.tku.co.jp/news/?news_id=20211209-00000013
In connection with this incident I've made a separate post about a manufacturer in Tamana that has come up with a pedal that makes this kind of error virtually impossible:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/6439518342788210

Kirk here with an English summary of something that was published in Japanese. The gentleman in the picture is a Mr. HOTTA Yoshihisa of Amakusa, age 101. The article is about the anti-war book that he recently published based on his own experiences during WWII. The article mentions that he has been a skilled typist for decades and wrote the book on a computer.
One occasion for the article may be the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor -- the start of the war between the U.S. and Japan. There have been a lot of TV shows that look back on what transpired. I saw a show in which a man who actually dropped bombs in the attack on Pearl Harbor (now 103 years old) spoke thoughtfully about the mixed feelings he has lived with since the end of the war: feeling that he did his duty, on the one hand, and, at the same time thinking, about how the American soldiers who died at his hands were not really any different than himself. (That was on the TBS show 報道特集 and may be available on their archives soon.)
I often feel that the generation that actually experienced WWII in significantly more anti-war than following generations. That was the case with my father. Those of us who have never experienced such horror need to pay careful attention to the messages that generation is leaving for us.
https://kumanichi.com/sites/default/files/2021-12/IP211206TAN000107000_03.jpg
https://kumanichi.com/articles/491669

Kirk here looking back on things that happened on this page in 2021 with some thoughts about how to move forward in 2022.
As those of you who read the page regularly have surely noticed, there was a good deal of friction about editorial policy in 2021. I was sorry to see things become acrimonious at times and to see editors leave the page but I felt that everyone involved was motivated by a sincere interest in making the page better. In other words, even when I saw people at loggerheads, I felt that those involved were trying to do what was right or appropriate but that they just had different ideas about what that would mean in practice.
One suggestion I have for 2022 is to assume goodwill. Even if someone (me, another editor, or a commenter) has written something that you find to be irritating, inappropriate, or just plain wrong in in some way, assuming that the person meant well might make it easier to respond kindly, even when you need to point out a problem or concern.
I should be upfront and say that I haven't always been able to practice what I preach in this regard. There have been many occasions in the over two-decade history of this forum in which my emotions have gotten the better of me and I've responded to situations in ways that I regret. So, what I've written here is as much a reminder to myself as it is a suggestion to other participants.
I'll post a few more thoughts I have about issues that came up in 2021 in the coming days.

Kirk here with something that may be of interested to people who need to control their blood-sugar level but would still like to enjoy some sweets.
Here's a page from the store's website with a Google map showing the location:
https://tenmando.com/pages/shop
And, if you prefer to read Japanese, here's an article from the Kumamoto Keizai Shimbun about the shop.
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14479905
Confectionery’s bittersweet solution to blood-sugar fear | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
KUMAMOTO--A Japanese-style confectionery shop here does more than cater to customers with a sweet tooth. Its other objective is to revive the pleasure of eating something sweet for those suffering from diabetes and other illnesses linked to blood-sugar levels.

Kirk here with a heads up about Christmas markets, one at Hanabata Hiroba (downtown, near the castle) and one at Kumamoto Station. The dates and times are listed on the website with enough English and Arabic numerals (dates and times) to make things clear enough even if you can't read the Japanese text.
https://xmas-kumamoto.com
Reviews are welcome! If you get a chance to go, please write a note about what you liked or didn't like.
Finally, here's an article (in Japanese) from the Kumanichi:
https://kumanichi.com/articles/490673
クリスマスマーケット熊本 | CHRISTMAS MARKET KUMAMOTO
◆HOT WINE & DRINK（クリスマスマーケット熊本） ホットワイン 特製のオリジナルホットワイン。 寒い冬空の下で飲むホットワインは気持ちまであたたかくします。 スパークリングワインやソフトドリンクなど […]

Kirk here with a share from Yoriko Sakama. As many of you will recall, we've discussed this important issue on the page several times.
https://www.facebook.com/yoriko.sakuma.1/posts/10159787690413817
Firma la petición
We request a verdict of “not guilty” of Vietnamese technical intern trainee, Ms. Linh

Fiona here with some information about a newly published book written by long-term Kumamoto resident Peter Smith.
Peter is originally from Yorkshire in the UK, and has lived in Kumamoto since 1994. This book is a memoir of some of the characters he has encountered in the English teaching community along the way. Fellow Kumamoto long-termers may think they recognise themselves or people they know within the pages, but of course any similarity to living people is purely coincidental 😉
The book is called GAIJIN: Nine Cautionary Tales of Life in Japan's English Teaching Community'
' It is the story of a number of folk who, for a variety of reasons – love, money, family - decide to make their home in Japan. It’s a study of the often bizarre, sometimes tragic ways their lives develop.'
It's available as both a paperback and in eBook format, and more details can be found here:
GAIJIN: Nine Cautionary Tales of Life in Japan's English Teaching Community
GAIJIN: Nine Cautionary Tales is the story of a number of folk who, for a variety of reasons – love, money, family - decide to make their home in Japan. It’s a study of the often bizarre, sometimes tragic ways their lives develop.

Ruth here! 🦌 As some of you know, Atsuko Kumabe and I are part of Team Tonakai・チーム トナカイ which is a local volunteer group who help get Christmas presents to children in care and orphanages around Kumamoto.
Please consider donating to this great cause, either in person at one of our fundraising events later in the week or by transfer to our JP PO account.
チビッ子代表ってことでカンナのゆうちょ銀行口座です:
Account Number: 17140 33544101　
Account Name: フルエ カンナ
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
This is a Japanese Post Office account. Donations for this year's activities are accepted until Dec. 20th. We give updates on our page so check-in when you can!
12月20日(月)までの受付とします。
On Saturday, 11th Dec., at Sunatori Community Center by Ezuko, we'll have a TEAM TONAKAI Tatami TeaTime FUNDRAISER in the morning. Biscuits and brews for all!! 🍪☕️ For those of you not working on Friday, 10th Dec., we'll also have a CRAFTEA チームトナカイ Mini Marché Fundraiser from 11:30am-4pm - the mini stockings are a taster and there'll, of course, be tea and other tasters for those who come along! Wrap up warm as it's outside!
＊＊More details, and Japanese, below!＊＊
チーム トナカイです!! 今週末から熊本養護施設クリスマスプレゼント募金活動は... スタート!! ✨🏁 多くの方々の支援をお願い致します。募金イベントに参加できない場合は郵貯に寄付してください。詳細は👆 募金活動について、今週の金曜日(10日)と土曜日(11日)の午前中にも募金活動が予定されています: https://fb.me/e/Y3Vbmhta と https://fb.me/e/1ZigDcT5T
改めて感謝申し上げます。Thanking you in advance for your generosity and goodwill 💕
＝＝A bit of background!!✨🎄＝＝
Team Tonakai carry on some the work of the Christmas Toy Drive which was lead by the Bowman family for 30+ years. Their team bought and brought gifts to 800+ children in Kumamoto. When they returned to the US after the 2016 earthquakes they delegated certain institutions to different volunteer groups: Team Tonakai took on four of them and we have reached out to bring in another four, which are not under the care of the church.
For the past three years Team Tonakai has been carrying out our yearly fundraising activities and gift-giving to children all over the prefecture, from Koshi to Minamata, Amakusa to Tatsuda. Some businesses give brand new toys or sweets to help bulk up the gift-giving. Please help support the efforts of many by donating what you can🙏✨

Kirk here with a belated report on the reversal of a problematic policy:
"The official said the passenger restriction policy is not intended to give priority to Japanese nationals and said that foreign residents of Japan can make reservations to re-enter the country."
That's good! Glad to see that the government has learned it's lesson since excluding all non-Japanese in 2020 and now is distinguishing between between residents and non-residents. Unfortunately, though, it seems that the prime minister didn't get the memo. In a public announcement I saw on TV he said something like "foreigners will not be allowed in," an inexact way of speaking that encourages the tendency to lump all foreigners together into one category of people who, supposedly, don't really need to be here and can easily "go home."
Japan quickly reverses course on halt of new reservations for inbound flights
Less than 24 hours after it was announced, Japan retracted its decision in a rapid reversal of a stunning move, which had caught even the prime minister off guard.

Kirk here with some manga news:
Minamata picks manga artist as first envoy to promote tourism | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
MINAMATA, Kumamoto Prefecture--Manga artist and native son Hisashi Eguchi reckons his new gig as this city’s first tourism ambassador is to help the good citizens of Minamata overcome their traumatic past.

Kirk here with a share from Explore Kumamoto. If you like these shots check out the many other beautiful photos on the page.
https://www.facebook.com/explorekumamoto/posts/4834390486585144

Kirk here with bad news for people outside of Japan hoping to return:
"In a stunning move, the transportation ministry Wednesday directed airlines to halt reservations for incoming flights to Japan for one month amid growing fears over the omicron coronavirus variant. The ministry described the move as 'an emergency measure.' People with existing bookings will still be able to fly into Japan."
In the past, residents of Japan with foreign passports have been excluded but this is the first time I'm aware of where Japanese citizens will also be unable to return until the ban on new reservations is lifted.
Japan halts new incoming flight bookings over omicron strain
People with existing bookings will still be able to fly into Japan despite the "emergency measure" that came the same day the country logged its second case of the omicron variant.

Kirk with an emu update. In October, William reported on the emu escape mentioned in the article. I learned from the article that the animals are being kept in an abandoned elementary school and that the goal to to turn it into a tourist farm. They are waiting for the end of the pandemic to begin inviting tourists.
Kumamoto: Mountain town embraces cracker-fed emus
The project started at the site of a shuttered elementary school, which was turned into a breeding facility called Kikuchi Emu Tourist Farm.

Kirk here with one more Omicron update. This one is a TV report from FNN about Kumamoto University needing to cancel plans to accept new students from various countries.
新たな変異株で新規入国禁止　熊本大学では留学手続きを中断
新型コロナの新たな変異株・オミクロン株の感染者が、日本国内で初めて３０日確認されました。一方、政府は３０日から外国人の新規入国を原則禁止したため、留学生を受け入れている県内の大学も対応に追われています...