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William A crime almost as heinous as Chisso Corp. releasing methylmercury into Minamata bay is the glacial pace at which the government proceeds with lawsuits. Kumanichi takes up the case of Mr. Hideki Sato (67), plaintiff leader, who suffered from methylmercury poisoning during fetal development and childhood. The group filed its appeal In October, 2015 - finally rejected yesterday - after their original suit was defeated in 2013, with the Fukuoka High Court ruling that the plaintiff's symptoms, which include leg cramps, dizziness, tinnitus, and difficulty in holding objects, were likely due to other illnesses. Mr. Sato noted that, even though the dangers of eating local fish and shellfish were vaguely known since 1957, poverty demanded that Minamata residents nonetheless continue to consume them.
汚染魚、家族で食べていた　原告団長佐藤さん、両親と祖母は「患者」｜熊本日日新聞社
　水俣病被害者互助会の裁判闘争は15年目に入った。原告団長の佐藤英樹さん（67）＝水俣市＝はきつい時があっても、「自分一人だけのことではない」と自らを奮い立たせてきた。案じ続けてきたのは、自分たち原告と同.....

William Fumarolic gasses (噴気孔ガス, funkikō gasu) are those emitted by a fumarole, a vent into what is mostly groundwater heated to steam by volcanic activity. They are a potential source of energy and are already being utilized throughout Japan, including in Kumamoto, in Oguni and Aso Village (an image of the Oguni plant is below). It seems much potential remains for this free, renewable power source. More can be read (just a bit) about the topic here: https://www.renovainc.com/en/development/minamiaso_yunotani_geothermal/202009_1674/

William A bit more about Kumamon's profitability. I'd stated before that cumulative profits have reached Y1 trillion. This article states a figure 810 billion yen since 2011, when the prefectural government began tracking figures (Kumamon was "born" in 2010), and 157.9 billion yen in 2019 alone - so close to a trillion, though perhaps not quite. Still, that's a whole lotta yen, much of which comes from licensing fees by Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean companies, where Kumamon remains quite popular. No wonder he (she?) always looks so content. English-language article at the link.
Sales of Kumamon mascot goods hit record 158 billion yen in 2019
Products bearing the image of "Kumamon," the black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, racked up sales of at least 157.9 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in 2019, according to the local government

Kirk here with a followup to William's post about Isahaya Bay. William has already introduced the gist of the issue but I thought I'd share this English-language news article as well.
As William pointed out the estuary has been important to the health of the entire Ariake Sea. Fishers are angry about the damage to the environment that chopping off the mud flats did. In fact, the loss of the wetlands may be one factor in the decline in clams (asari) that we've reported about. It's hard to know exactly how much of the asari probably can be blamed on the damming of the estuary but it certainly didn't help.
Finally, here's a good web page on the history of the issue:
https://www.jawan.jp/e/news/081015isahaya2.html
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14582114
High court rules Isahaya Bay floodgates can remain closed | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
FUKUOKA--Four years failed to dampen the Fukuoka High Court's view of a protracted legal battle in Nagasaki Prefecture between fishermen and farmers over reclaimed land in a once bountiful bay.

William Though Isahaya Bay (諫早湾) is located in Nagasaki, as it served as an estuary for Ariake Sea, its health affects Kumamoto. Isahaya was diked off in 1989 for two purposes: to protect against typhoons and to provide farmland. While the former purpose may have been fulfilled, the latter has not: the soil quality of the reclaimed land is too poor to grow anything.
Estuaries are crucial for the health of such a narrow body of seawater as the Ariake. The crustaceans and plants that populate an estuary constitute a natural filtering system. Kumanichi reports that a group of Ariake fishermen, concerned about the damage the dike causes, sued to force the government to keep the gates permanently open and to reconstitute the estuary. Though the fishermen won in the lower courts, the Fukuoka High Court ordered that the gates remain shut. The dissatisfied fishermen have vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/600447

William Hay fever - or pollen allergy - season is upon us, and it is a largely self-inflicted phenomenon. The biggest culprit is the sugi (杉), or Japanese cedar. During WWII, deforestation was a huge problem as mountains were denuded for fuel. I have read that Tatsudayama and Mt. Kimpo were completely denuded, so all current growth on both mountains are entirely post-war.
The government decided to grow mammoth sugi plantations due to the tree's rapid growth rate and its suitability for lumber. What they did not factor in was that sugi produce a prodigious amount of pollen in the spring. Furthermore, with imported wood undercutting domestic prices, many of these plantations have been abandoned, leading to the growth of larger, more mature trees which produce more pollen. More can be read here: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/strange-story-hay-fever-japan/
Our friend Jeff Cairns, who lives perched atop Mt. Kimpo, provided us with these stunning images of the snow-like pollen sweeping down from the sugi towards the city. Those affected by pollen are encouraged to stay indoors, keep windows and doors shut, and change clothes often.

Kirk here reporting on a group of doctors that held a press conference to criticize the recent Supreme Court decision not to hear an appeal by persons seeking certification as Minamata disease patients. Their critique (as summarized in the news story) is that the idea the court sited that "we can't be sure what caused the symptoms" ignores research on Minamata disease that has accummulated over the decades. For my summary of the Supreme Court's rejection of the plea, see the following post:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/7050309825042389
医師が最高裁を批判「水俣病研究を無視」　【熊本県】（ＫＫＴ熊本県民テレビ） - Yahoo!ニュース
３月８日、最高裁判所が水俣病の未認定患者８人の訴えを棄却したことに対して、２３日に水俣病患者の治療や検診にあたる医師らが、最高裁の判断を批判する声明を出した。 声明を出したのは、メチル水銀中毒症研

Kirk here reporting that RKK broadcast an interview with the boy from Ukraine and his family this evening. It's only in Japanese but it's available on YouTube if you're interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKKsvg3mjWc
https://rkk.jp/news/index.php?id=NS003202203241702000111

William Between 1932 and 1968, Chisso Corporation produced acetaldehyde, a precursor to polyvinyl acetate, which is used to make glue - such a basic thing! - in Minamata. The company dumped its waste, which included mercury sulfate, used as a catalyst, into Minamata Bay. This mercury was rapidly absorbed by fish and shellfish, which went up the food chain to humans, resulting in what is known as "Minamata disease," or mercury poisoning.
That is well-known. What is less well-known is how well Minamata has recovered since then. My wife and I gleefully eat oysters from the rocks with no worries. The government has poured in money as a sort of apology, making the small town a delightful place to visit. Of particular interest at this time of year is their cherry blossoms. Going by car is best, but JR also has a delightful line with wonderful walks from the station. https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Kumamoto/Minamata#r/Train The locals must still make a living, and they will welcome your visit.

Hi, Atsuko here.
桜, Sakura, Cherry blossoms!
Cherry blossom season is here!
@健軍神社 Kengun shrine street, today.(*Ü*)♡

Kirk here with news that Kumamoto Prefecture is preparing to accept refugees from Ukraine. At this point, there have been no specific requests but since the number of displaced persons is very large (over 10 million now, according to the report) there will clearly be a need for help in settling people in many areas of many countries. Kumamoto has raised its hand (or is preparing to raise its hand?) as one possible destination.
https://rkk.jp/news/index.php?id=NS003202203231624110111

William Kumamon continues to rake in the yen. Since licensed commercial use of his (her?) image was permitted in December 2010, the prefecture has clawed (pawed?) in in excess of one trillion yen. No word on where the money has gone, but one hopes it has helped to alleviate local taxes and increase services, particularly for the elderly and those with young children. Kumamon would approve of that. Pictured: くまモンに小判.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/596772

Kirk here reporting that the annual "hifuri shinji" (火振り神事) was held in Aso recently (Sunday). The following web page has a good English-language explanation about the ritual:
https://explore-kumamoto.com/hifuri-shinji-festival/
A YouTube video of RKK's recent report (including a comment by a member of Kumamoto's English-speaking non-Japanese community) can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K7Ak0cyuFA
Here's the text of the RKK news article:
https://rkk.jp/news/backno_page.php?id=NS003202203211157330111
This year, ordinary people weren't allowed to swing the flaming bales aroundaround becauase of COVID-19 concerns.
Hifuri-Shinji Festival - Explore-Kumamoto
Blazing torches light the sky and reed straw ropes are set on fire and swung around in the Hifuri-Shinji festival a dramatic spectacle at Aso Shrine

Kirk here with Minamata disease news about the Supreme Court rejecting claims for damages.
First, here are a couple of paragraphs from the only English-language article about this verdict that I could find:
Article Headline: Top Court Rejects Minamata Disease Recognition for 8 People
--- start quote ---
In a decision Tuesday, the top court's Third Petty Bench turned down the appeal by the plaintiffs against a Fukuoka High Court ruling, which rejected the claims in a damages lawsuit filed against the Japanese government, Kumamoto Prefecture and chemical maker Chisso Corp., which caused the pollution.
As a result, the high court ruling that reversed a Kumamoto District Court ruling that recognized three of them as sufferers of the disease became final.
--- end quote ---
https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2022031000689/
The article doesn't explain the reasoning for the rejection. I found that in another Japanese-language article put out by the same news service:
更年期障害や飲酒が原因の可能性もあるとして罹患を否定。
https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2022031000689&g=soc
The idea is that the court could not be sure that the typical Minamata disease symptoms were not the result of aging or alcohol consumption. So, even if it's clear that the waters were poisoned and that the poison got in people's bodies and they got sick in a way that is consistent with Minamata disease, if there's some other possible explanation, the victims lose in court.
Now, another thing I find interesting (and disturbing) about this case is that it has been virtually ignored by the English-language press. I thought some more interest might be shown after Johnny Depp raised the profile of Minamata disease with his movie. But, if you do a Google search for "Minamata," you'll find many articles about the movie and about the Minamata treaty to limit mercury use but only one article (the one I quoted) about this verdict. :(
By the way, the URL of the Japanese article with picture I used here is as follows:
https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20220310002810.html

William　　Just learned that Miyazaki Hayao based the location of his masterpiece, Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し), on Shibu Onsen (渋温泉, bottom) in Nagano. The onsen town reminds me of Oguni (小国, top), a similar onsen town where people wander the, really, only street in yukata borrowed from their ryokan with round slivers of wood hung around their necks - once purchased, this gives pass to five onsen, so carrying money is unnecessary. If you have never been to Kurokawa, you must. One cannot say they have truly visited Kumamoto without.
https://www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp/pickup/yukata/

Kirk here. As the article says, the dropping of restrictioins is nationwide, so that includes Kumamoto, of course. As I've pointed out before the restrictions can be referred to in several ways: "Quasi-emergency" status in English, "man'en boushi tou juuten sochi" (まん延防止等重点措置) in Japanese, "mambo" for short, as well as at least one other English translation that I'm having trouble recalling at the moment.
Japan drops COVID restrictions on bars and restaurants nationwide
Tokyo pub owners both happy and cautious about what comes next

Kirk here with some KamiAmakusa-related news. The other day (several weeks ago, I think) I was watching RKK and saw a segment they did on two people who had moved to KamiAmakusa to help them promote the area -- one Japanese and one Italian. If either of you happen to read Kumamoto International, please feel free to share your material with us. :)
P.S. The photography on their Facebook page in gorgeous. Please have a look. I may share some shots later.
https://www.facebook.com/KArealexperience/posts/132441229306006

Carlton. We've been living with Covid for just over 2 years now, and we are all looking forward to it finally seeming to have diminished and maybe started on its way out of our lives or at worst stay on with a much reduced and consequential presence.
I was going back over some old correspondence of mine from that time and came across this YouTube video showing how China then was dealing with it. That Shenzhen and Shanghai now are back to lockdowns again must be disheartening. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this: <https://youtu.be/dQQnH-A0fug>
【STANDUP】FUN IN QUARANTINE! Coronavirus Charity Standup Show 【单口喜剧】隔离那些事 公益支援脱口秀演出
*** DONATE NOW *** https://www.gofundme.com/f/medical-supplies-for-wuhan-doctors-amp-victims这是2月12号在美国公益脱口秀演出的脱口秀段子！本场演出成功募捐8万+人民币 购买了50多箱医用品寄到武汉了！Bits from ...

William With growing global military tenseness and other unpleasantness, an understanding of the role of the Kengun Self-Defense Force base is useful. I had the opportunity to teach there for several years so am slightly familiar with its workings. Not many are aware that it is the headquarters of the SDF Western Army, in charge of defense of Japanese territory from Okinawa (including those islets in dispute with Taiwan and China) through Kyushu. This, of course, makes Kumamoto a prime target should missiles begin to fly.
The first link is to an English Wikipedia entry on the Western Army. The second is to a short Japanese Wikipedia entry on Camp Kengun itself which traces its origins as a Mitsubishi fighter plane manufacturing facility from 1941 (the facility used to have an airstrip so as to get its product off the ground) to its present role.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Army_(Japan)
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%81%A5%E8%BB%8D%E9%A7%90%E5%B1%AF%E5%9C%B0
Western Army (Japan) - Wikipedia
The Western Army (西部方面隊) is one of five active Armies of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. It is headquartered in Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture. Its responsibility is the defense of Kyūshū and Okinawa.

Hi Atsuko here with some information about Kumamoto flower EXPO 🌷🌼.
At the Kumamoto Flower Expo, you can not only enjoy looking at flowers, but also take part in woodworking and bamboo lighting workshops.
The bamboo lights workshop's organizer is ちかけん Chikaken, which makes bamboo lights for Mizuakari and the Christmas Market in Kumamoto.
You can make woodwork in the 立田山Tatsutayama area and bamboo lighting in the downtown area. Both are free and you can take what you make home with you. You may make two bamboo lights and one will be displayed at the Kumamoto Flower Expo.
The event is held on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
(Woodworking)
Details. What you'll make differs depending on the day.
https://kumaryokkafair.com/event/detail/1566.php
https://kumaryokkafair.com/event/detail/1567.php
https://kumaryokkafair.com/event/detail/1625.php
https://kumaryokkafair.com/event/detail/1595.php
(Bamboo lights making workshop)
Time:1) 11:00~12:30 2) 12:30~14:00 3) 14:00~15:30
Participation fee: Free (2 pieces will be made, one for display and one to take home)
Location:Shimodori arcade, in front of COCOSA SHIMOTORI
March 20 and April 24: near Sansuitei, Kamidori Arcade
Application method: Accepted on the day of application (Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting 30 minutes prior to each session)
https://kumaryokkafair.com/event/detail/1729.php
https://kumaryokkafair.com/
Hoping lots of people enjoy it.(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
[Shared post's translation.]
Tatsutayama Area [Woodworking Class]
There are two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, but every time there is a line before registration opens! (First come, first served)
Folding chair, sliding bookshelf, mini chair
The workshop is a free woodworking workshop where participants can make three types of wood.
Parents were amazed at the children's nail-hammering skills!
The children are overjoyed when they finish 😊.
It would be happy if you could feel the fun of making things.
(The things you make will change depending on the day of the event. hp for more information)
Machinaka Area [Bamboo Lighting Workshop]
It is being held in the arcade near Sansuitei on the upper street!
Looks like a lot of customers enjoyed making bamboo lights yesterday! ☺.
Let's make it together for the lighting of bamboo lights along the long wall of Kumamoto Castle from May 7!
（You can even make your own to take home...)
Please enjoy the KUMAMOTO HANA HAKU 🥰🌸🌷 in the middle of three consecutive holidays.