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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...
