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Joe Tomei here with another update from the JET program prefectural advisors Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland. As always, a big thank you for sharing this with the list.
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Hi everyone,
There have been some changes to the Kumamoto City and Prefecture joint "Risk Level" system, so we'd like to let everyone know what has changed. Please read on for that info and some more coronavirus-related updates. Just a warning, this is a bit of a long update so now is your chance to get a cup of your favourite warm beverage and read on. If any parts are confusing, please let us know and we will do our best to clarify. Here are the updates:
"Risk Level" system revamped with the addition of a new level
Kumamoto Prefecture and Kumamoto City have decided to add one additional level to the "Risk Level" System, creating a 6-stage scale (Levels 0~5), effective yesterday (28 October). Definitions for all the other levels, the general policy directions that apply for each level, and what kind of responses could be implemented for each have also been further fleshed out in a new document released by the Prefecture. Please see the attached A3 chart for a detailed translation of all of the new levels, how they are decided and what each level might entail. This is the very first time any changes have been made to the "Risk Level" system since it was implemented at the end of March this year.
The highest level in the new system will now be the newly-minted "Level 5", which would only apply when there are multiple large active clusters in the prefecture, giving rise to 150 or more cases in a one-week, and when hospital bed use exceeds 25% of capacity (think back to early August with the clusters in Yamaga and Nagasu).
In principle from now on, only at Level 5 will the Prefecture entertain measures such as requesting the public from refraining from travelling across prefectural lines, or requesting businesses to close or shorten their hours, etc.
As was the case previously, announcements regarding the Risk Level will be made once a week after a joint Kumamoto City/Prefecture expert committee meets and analyses case trends over the preceding week.
Read more:
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/kiji_33555.html
https://kumanichi.com/news/1653660/
Risk Level set to Level 2 after implementation of new system
Over the one-week period from 20 October to 26 October, the number of new cases was 23, and the route of infection is unknown for 11 of them. As a result, the first Risk Level issued by the prefecture under the new system implemented yesterday is Level 2.
Here are some of the remarks made by Governor Kabashima when announcing the new Risk Level in a statement to the public yesterday (summarised in the bullet points below).
Although the setting of "Level 2" may seem as though things have been relaxed in comparison to the previous Risk Level system, the Prefecture is asking the public to continue to stay alert and implement measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
In terms of the nationwide infection situation, according to the national government's subcommittee for COVID-19, the number of new cases has remained relatively flat with a slight increase, and a sustained decrease in cases has not been observed (read more: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201028_26/). Kumamoto Prefecture continues to have high numbers of new cases even in comparison with other parts of Kyushu, so continued vigilance remains necessary.
According to research by Tokyo University, face masks are effective at preventing both the diffusion and inhalation of viral particles.
https://this.kiji.is/694044597160363105?c=92619697908483575
Measures to be implemented/Requests to the public by the Prefecture
The Prefecture will take the following measures and makes the following requests in light of the Level 2 announcement:
Within Kumamoto City:
Although no new directly cluster-connected cases have been confirmed in the past week, cases with unknown routes of infection are continuing to sporadically emerge in the same area.

(Countermeasures)
・We will continue asking high-risk establishments for their cooperation in the pro-active testing programme.
(Requests)
・Refrain from engaging in activities which contribute to the spread of infection, such as drinking into the late hours of the night in central Kumamoto City's entertainment district.
・Choose businesses that display a sticker indicating they are sufficiently implementing measures to prevent the spread of infection.
・Kumamoto City is operating a testing program for people who work at food and drink establishments in Kumamoto City. Individual employees can also apply to be tested, so contact Kumamoto City's test application hotline (080-7660-8092, operating from 1pm-8pm excluding weekends and holidays). In particular, please contact Kumamoto City if you frequently come into contact with high-risk individuals such as the elderly in order to protect yourself and those close to you. (https://www.city.kumamoto.jp/corona/hpKiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=30112&class_set_id=22&class_id=3269)
Within Aso City:
With regard to the cluster at Aso Yamanami hospital (in total 9 cases so far, read more: https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=32300&sub_id=166&flid=256829, https://this.kiji.is/692325899384243297?c=92619697908483575), it is thought that the impact on members of the public is limited, but it is important to pay attention to the situation.
(Countermeasures)
The Prefecture's Cluster Management Assistance Team (CMAT) as well as a support squad from the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare have been dispatched to provide on-site specialist support and seal off the spread of infection.
(Requests)
Please continue the thorough implementation of basic measures to prevent the spread of infection.
To all residents of Kumamoto Prefecture:
The national subcommittee on COVID-19 has compiled 5 scenarios in which the risk of transmission is increased and is currently conducting an awareness campaign about them. Please pay attention to these and in particular, during the upcoming Halloween events, wear masks and avoid drinking late into the night.
These 5 situations are:
① social gathering which involve drinking alcohol,
② drinking with others in large numbers or over a long period of time,
③ conversations without masks,
④ living together with others in confined spaces and
⑤ moving from one place to another (e.g., the spread of infection has been traced to situations in which employees move to places such as smoking areas, break rooms/changing rooms) (https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000687179.pdf)
Original Prefectural press release in Japanese: https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=32638&sub_id=57&flid=257030
Ongoing requests to residents of the Prefecture
The following requests will remain in place regardless of the Risk Level.
(1) The most important requests:
① Even if you have no symptoms, please wear a mask when indoors outside of your home.
② Wash/disinfect your hands frequently.
③ If you have a fever, stay home from work and call a doctor.
(2) Basic countermeasures
・Please continue implementing the new lifestyle measures (新しい生活様式) in your day-to-day lives (https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/en.newlifestyle.pdf).
・Please thoroughly implement measures to reduce the spread of infection such as maintaining physical distance between yourself and others, hand washing and mask wearing.
・Implement measures to avoid infection in the household such as showering/washing your hands after returning home, staying in a different room from other members of the same household if you have a fever or other symptoms.
・Download the contract tracing app "COCOA" installed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
(3) When leaving the home
・Avoid outings to places where the three "3 Cs" are present or to regions where the virus is spreading.
・Avoid leaving the home if you have a fever or cold symptoms and in particular do not have meals with others in groups.
・If you live with individuals who are elderly or have underlying medical conditions please pay particular care to infection preventing countermeasures when outside the home.
(4) On dining out/shopping
・Do not visit shops/restaurants that fail to implement measures to prevent the spread of infection/do not display a sticker.
Original Prefectural press release in Japanese: https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=32638&sub_id=57&flid=257030
So how do I find a place to go eat in Kumamoto City?
Kumamoto City has launched a website to help people search for restaurants/cafes etc that are implementing measures to prevent the spread of infection (includes pictures of the types of measures that are being taken). Check it out! ⇒ https://anshin-kuma.com/
Restaurants participating in the "Go To Eat Campaign" are also required to be implementing some kind of countermeasures against COVID-19. You can look up participating restaurants on websites such as Tabelog, Hot Pepper, Gurunavi etc.
https://tabelog.com/go-to-eat/
https://r.gnavi.co.jp/plan/campaign/gotoeat/
https://www.hotpepper.jp/campaign/gotoeat/
Go To Eatキャンペーン【最大10,000ポイント還元】 | ホットペッパーグルメ
食べて応援！「Go To Eat（イート）キャンペーン」1回の予約&来店で最大10,000ポイント！ディナー1,000ポイント×来店人数分、ランチ500ポイント×来店人数分のポイントがもれなく還元されます。ホットペッパーグルメでGo To Eat....

A friend posted the following question. Anyone with information is requested to provide it in the comments section. Thank you!
Hello! I would like to know if you know any basketball teams or groups here in Kumamoto for female foreigners. Or are there basketball courts here open to the public?

Kirk Here. I learned today that Taiji HASUDA, the doctor who had the courage to start the so-called "baby hatch" passed away. It is the only facility of its kind in Japan and Dr. Hasuda received a good deal of criticism for his efforts. But he persevered in order to improve the chances that those children would survive and thrive.
If you can read Japanese, you'll find articles about his passing if you search for 蓮田太二. I couldn't find a report in English but I'm sure one will be published soon.
One Japanese report said that he had accepted 155 babies at the hospital as of March of this year.
Rest in peace, Dr. Hasuda.
The following article is from a few years back.
Kumamoto baby hatch still delivers hope 10 years on
Early on the morning of April 15 last year, the president of a Kumamoto hospital with Japan's first baby hatch was relieved to hear the facility could cont

熊本豪雨からの復旧、線路歩いて確認　芦北町でおれんじ鉄道イベント ｜ 熊本日日新聞
７月の豪雨で被災した肥薩おれんじ鉄道（熊本市八代市）は２５日、１１月１日の全線での運行再開を前に、復...

Road access on the western coast of Kyushu is rather pathetic. The expressway crosses the central part if the island, so local denizens are limited to Route 3, which is tortuous. That is why JR's Orange Line railroad is so important, relied upon by workers and students alike. Tragically, the line was severed during the recent floods, basically isolating the residents of the string of small towns it serves. However, restoration work is now complete, and local residents celebrated by taking a stroll along the tracks.
If you've never taken the Orange Line, I strongly recommend that you do. Tickets allowing unlimited disembarkation and embarkation are available, the scenery is gorgeous, and the local people very welcoming. - William
熊本豪雨からの復旧、線路歩いて確認　芦北町でおれんじ鉄道イベント ｜ 熊本日日新聞
７月の豪雨で被災した肥薩おれんじ鉄道（熊本市八代市）は２５日、１１月１日の全線での運行再開を前に、復...

Kirk here, back again after another long absence.
Here's some information about local author Sean Michael Wilson's new publication:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Lafcadio-Hearn/dp/4805315660
Congratulations Sean!

So a young woman in Miyagi Prefecture was keeping a tarantula which made the poor decision to escape. Tarantulas in captivity are generally hand-fed crickets, but in the wild, are likely to be run over by a car. I know this as my grandfather was a preeminent scholar of tarantulas (in those days, before toxicity tests, you just prodded them into bighting you to see what happened), and they're not dangerous at all. (https://www.amazon.co.jp/Tarantula-Hb-1996-Baerg-William/dp/0952408309) I used to carry mine around on my shoulder, which resulted in odd looks. If you want a cute, exotic pet which is easy to care for, I suggest a tarantula. - William
https://this.kiji.is/692325039250736225?c=92619697908483575
Tarantula, the Hb 1996/ 97

Joe Tomei, passing this on for Jeff Morrow, at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto.
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Hi everyone! Jeff Morrow here. I currently research tourism and ecotourism development and this year there are two students who are working on their graduation theses in tourism in my lab. One student is researching people’s thoughts on traveling in the age of COVID, and one is researching travelers’ perceptions of sustainability in hotels that have a green agenda. I’m adding a link to their research questionnaires and we would love to hear the thoughts of Kuma-i members on these subjects, so if you have time, we would really like your input! The questionnaires should take no more than 10 minutes each. Thanks a bunch! Please click on the links below
https://forms.gle/RkMNvmfhS1wgpdB28
https://forms.gle/C7NaZTyxdqeEmktr5
Section 1
Our laboratory researches tourism development in Kumamoto, Japan. This questionnaire was created in order to understand travelers’ thoughts of eco-friendly hotels, since this is an important topic, and will help us analyze the situation facing travelers today. We would like to ask for your assista...

About 90% of tatami (okay, I just made that stat up, but it's close) are produced from the igusa plant grown in Yatsushiro. The fragrance of fresh tatami is heavenly. Arenji has an article on how tatami are made and used. One thing I learned as a neophyte in Japan is to never clod on the 畳べり地 (tatamiherichi - the cloth edging bordering tatami) as it wears it down. Read more here: https://ar.kumanichi.com/esprit/4708/
- William
畳のある暮らし ｜ 生活情報紙「あれんじ」公式サイト – 熊本日日新聞社
「くまにちあれんじ」は毎月、第1・第3土曜日に熊日読者にお届けします。熊本県内の素敵な場所やおいしいグルメ、おしゃれな生活雑貨、健康情報など満載し、ご紹介します。

Hi friends.
Do you know? Do you like this Japanese sweets?
Many Kumamoto residents might call it 蜂楽饅頭 Houraku Manjyu.
The name changes if you go to other prefecture like these, 回転焼きKaiten yaki, 今川焼きImagawa yaki,大判焼きOobanyaki, きんつば ... So interesting.
You might know the reason why Kumamoto people call it as Houraku Manjyu. Yes, it's the name of famous store in Kumamoto. They have some stores but I know it at downtown.
If you haven't eaten it yet, recommended to try.
BTW, I call it as 回転饅頭 Kaiten Manjyu because my hometown is close to Fukuoka, maybe.
Don't other Hourakumanjyu when you visit to other prefecture because the name is used only KumamotoーAtsuko(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡

Joe Tomei here with another update from Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland, JET Prefectural advisors
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Dear Kumamoto,
Yesterday the Prefectural Government raised the risk level to Level 4 for the whole prefecture (Level 4 has applied to Kumamoto City since last week). The following is a translated summary of the main points of the Prefecture's press release (https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=32638&sub_id=53&flid=255169):
Increase in new infections in Kumamoto
A total of 75 newly infected persons were confirmed in the week from 6 October to 12 October, 18 for which the route of infection is unknown. This is an increase of about 1.5 times the previous week, in which 55 cases were recorded.
Over the last week a new cluster has occured at another establishment in the entertainment district of Kumamoto City. Infections are on the rise, with some confirmed infections at restaurants that serve alcohol.
Comments from the Prefecture-City Joint Expert Committee on the COVID-19 response
Prefecture-City Joint Expert Committee on the COVID-19 Chairman Harada commented: "Since the large-scale clusters occurred, it is thought that the number of infections has increased rapidly due to unseen infection chains, and it is necessary to thoroughly suppress the cluster with the cooperation of both the Prefecture and Kumamoto City."
In addition, "Efforts should be made to catch infections before they develop into a cluster, and after the infection occurs, any unseen infection chains should be broken by a thorough and proactive epidemiological survey. It is important to prevent further outbreaks and the explosive growth of infections."
Requests from the Prefectural Government to the public
- If you have visited establishments where clusters have occurred, or if you have come in contact with staff members of those establishments, please consult your health centre (保健所 hokenjo). We would like to ask the citizens of the prefecture for two points in connection with this increase in the risk level.
- Please continue to refrain from going to establishments that are not taking measures to prevent the spread of infection such as using the prefectural checklists and sticker displays.
- (New) Please refrain from actions that lead to the spread of infection in the entertainment district in the centre of Kumamoto City. Avoid drinking alcohol until late at night. Speaking loudly and losing awareness/memory contributes to the spread of the infection. We would like to ask the citizens of the prefecture to recognise that this is an important time to prevent the spread of infection, and to protect themselves and those around them, and by extension, to protect society.

Joe Tomei here with something from Sean Benward, a combo fundraiser, halloween 🎃, ecology awareness event on Halloween.

Hi friends.
"MINAMATA''
Its official international trailer in cinemas 2021 was released.
This is a historical drama based on MINAMATA disease. It's sad story but good opportunity for us, for world to know it deeply.ーAtsuko
"MINAMATA"
New York, 1971. Following his celebrated days as one of the most revered photojournalists of World War II, W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) has become a recluse, disconnected from society and his career. But a secret commission from Life magazine editor Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy) sends him to the Japanese coastal city of Minamata, which has been ravaged by mercury poisoning; the result of decades of gross industrial negligence by the country’s Chisso Corporation.
There, Smith immerses himself in the community, documenting their efforts to live with Minamata Disease and their passionate campaign to achieve recognition from Chisso and the Japanese government. Armed with only his trusted camera, Smith’s images from the toxic village give the disaster a heartbreaking human dimension, and his initial assignment turns into a life-changing experience.
Minamata | Official International Trailer | In Cinemas 2021
New York, 1971. Following his celebrated days as one of the most revered photojournalists of World War II, W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) has become a recluse...

Joe Tomei here with a short update from the JET Prefectural advisors, Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland.
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Hi Kumamoto,
Today the COVID-19 Risk Level was raised to Level 4 in Kumamoto City and Level 3 for the rest of the prefecture. Although the prefecture lowered the risk level down to Level 2 last week, there has since been a large spike in cases linked with a bar called "Mermaids" in Kumamoto City. Please read on for more information.
The following is a summary of the contents of the governor's press conference held earlier this afternoon:(https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/kiji_36616.html?type=top)
In the one-week period from 29 September to 5 October, 55 new cases have been detected, bringing the total number of cases in Kumamoto so far to 639. In the preceding week only 2 cases were detected, so this represents a very large increase.
Of the 35 kyabakura employees tested, 20 have tested positive. Although many tests have been conducted, the source of infection remains unknown and the number of cases among the clientele is also very high, so there is a very real threat that the virus could continue to spread.
As for the response to the current situation, the prefecture and city are planning to proactively implement PCR tests, dispatch prefectural employees to teach staff how to respond to a cluster situation, and confirm that the establishments are implementing measures outlined in the prefectural checklists. Furthermore, the prefecture is asking residents to choose establishments which properly and sufficiently implement infection-preventing measures.
List of current cases
In addition to Kumamoto City, there have also been cases of residents in Ozu, Uto, Koshi, Tamana, Uki, Reihoku, Arao, Yatsushiro. You can find a full list of cases announced in Kumamoto Prefecture available in English here: http://www.kuma-koku.jp/support-center/page156.html
If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. For now, please take care and have a safe rest of your week.
[English] Information about COVID-19 in Kumamoto / 熊本県外国人サポートセンター / 熊本県国際協会
[English] Information about COVID-19 in Kumamoto 最終更新日：2020年9月18日  Information list about COVID-19The number of confirmed infections in KumamotoConsultation CenterList of available financial supportsFor EmployersFor WorkersFor Single ParentsFor StudentLifestyle informationInformat...

On a list of things you might want to experience (although you could just try rafting): https://tsuboigawa-enyukai.com/syuun/

A note from the KI department of mixed feelings: Many on the margins of society make ends meet by gathering recyclables such as newspaper and aluminum cans; conversely, this raises cost for municipal garbage collection by reducing the value of what authorized collectors take in, amounting to some The originally collected recyclable waste to sold to finance city sanitation, and the amount of damage caused by pilfered recyclables is estimated to be at least 26 million yen. Kumanichi recently announced a plan to crack down on unauthorized garbage collectors. Violators were initially fined 200,000 yen, but this is expected to be increased to 26 million yen.
I love my gomi hunting as I walk my dog in the morning and have found many treasures. That the government would go after collectors like me is unlikely; it's the guys in the kei trucks who vacuum up every valuable item that they're after. So don't worry about selecting a treasure; just don't do it in a truck. - William
資源ごみ持ち去りに規制厳しく　違反者は公表、熊本市改正条例が施行 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
熊本市は資源ごみの持ち去りの規制を強化するため条例を改正し、１日施行した。違反者の氏名を公表するほか...

You know when you encounter an insect named "Paederus dermatitis" that it's probably something you should avoid. Unfortunately, their numbers have increased greatly in Kumamoto. While not particularly dangerous, they can leave alarming rashes, so if you meet one, don't shake hands and say "'Sup, dude?" Run away.
Paederus dermatitis - Wikipedia
Paederus dermatitis, medically known as dermatitis linearis[1], is a skin irritation resulting from contact with the hemolymph of certain rove beetles, a group that belongs to the insect order Coleoptera and the genus Paederus.[2][3][4] Other local names given to Paederus dermatitis include spider-l...

Here's a bit more about rice than you'd probably like to know: mid-13c., from Old French ris, from Italian riso, from Latin oriza, from Greek oryza "rice," via an Indo-Iranian language (compare Pashto vriže, Old Persian brizi), ultimately from Sanskrit vrihi-s "rice." The Greek word is the ultimate source of all European words (Welsh reis, German reis, Lithuanian ryžiai, Serbo-Croatian riza, Polish ryż, etc.).
It is rice harvesting season in Kumamoto. If you have a chance to venture out to the countryside to see the terraces covered with golden sheathes of rice, I recommend doing so. The Ogi Rice Terraces in Ubuyama Village are particularly famous.
On a related note, the miniature tractors commonly used in Japan, usually manufactured by Yanase, are commonly exported to the United States, often used, where gardeners love their compact size and reliability. - William
黄金の稲穂「扇棚田」弧を描く　産山村で農家が稲刈り ｜ 熊本日日新聞
日本棚田百選の一つで、国の重要文化的景観の構成資産でもある熊本県産山村の扇棚田で２９日、稲刈りがあっ...

A good thing about running your own country is that you can create your own currency (though it can be a bad thing, too - anyone remember the Japanese 銭? It was the version of the Japanese penny until postwar inflation made it worthless). The country of the Cook Islands has concocted a way to literally mint their own profits by issuing Kumamon-themed coins as legal currency. They come in two valuations: one gold and one silver. I doubt either will be accepted by vending machines as the former costs 39,800円 and the latter 19,800円, exclusive of tax. Still, they're cute, and undoubtedly many Kumamon aficionados will buy them. - William
I・E・I オリジナルショップ
スヌーピーやキティなどのキャラクターオリジナル商品ほか、世界的に有名なデザイナー、ブランド、美術館等と提携して、「他では手に入れることができない一流品のみ」を通信販売で提供。

Passing this on. Your chance to join Kumamon's entourage!
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Former Kumamoto Resident Looking for Americans in Kumamoto to Film with Kumamon!
Hello! My name is Ara and I worked as an ALT in Kumamoto a few years ago. Currently, I'm working with the planning committee of the annual Japan Festival here in Boston. Our festival is being held virtually on December 5th and 6th this year. As a part of our festival, we would like to film a short 5-10 minute video in Japan with some Americans having fun with Kumamon.
We have already secured Kumamon's involvement, but now we are looking for Americans in Kumamoto that would be interested in participating in the video. We are hoping to get multiple people to go around town together with Kumamon and basically record yourselves having fun exploring and doing Kumamoto related activities. I hope to work together with the actors to plan out the video, as activities will depend on what location works best for all the participants and what is available to you in your area. If you have video/audio equipment and would like to do filming, we would be VERY excited to have you help us. Otherwise, we will use the actors' phone cameras to record footage.
My deadline to submit a list of actors and a preliminary script is October 7th. Then filming would take place between October 12th - October 26th.
We are an entirely volunteer run festival, so unfortunately there is no compensation for this project. But you will be free to use the clips or even the entire video as you like on your social media (facebook, youtube, etc). There is no issue with licensing!
If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please contact me at [email protected]. Thank you very much for your time!