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Good morning friends.
We don't have emergency declaration in Kumamoto now.
Japan’s state of emergency declaration does not, for example, empower prefecture police to legally enforce the closure of public and private facilities or set up roadblocks to inspect vehicles going in and out.
This article explains about Japanese emergency declaration well.
Please read it well.
Hoping we'll not get the declaration in Kumamoto.
Stay home.
Your patient brings good results.
Be safe, be healthy, be HappyーAtsuko(*Ü*)
What changes under Japan's state of emergency declaration?
Under a declaration of emergency, who can do what?

Prime Minister Abe just gave a speech regarding Japan's reaction to the corona virus. From my perspective, it was a good speech: he outlined what the situation is from both health and economic perspectives and even echoed Churchill, saying "All we have to fear is fear itself" (yeah - well, that and the virus). But his message was clear: Japan will be on lockdown from Wednesday. Yesterday was different from today, and tomorrow will be far different. - William

When my kids were born, one of the first things we did was to bring them to the America Fukuoka Consulate to register their citizenship. An announcement from the American government:
Because of the State Department’s suspension of processing, we are currently unable to issue Consular Reports of Birth Abroad citizenship documents for infants and children. However, we can document the child’s citizenship with an emergency passport, and we strongly encourage families to apply for such documentation.
Seems strange that they cannot do the latter but can do the former. Americans with newborns should take note. - William

Kumamoto Airport has begun construction on its new terminal (pictured below, although results may vary), and in the interim has shifted flights to a temporary terminal. Seems like a good time to begin this as nobody is flying anyway. - William

Tsūjun Bridge (通潤橋) is an arch bridge completed in 1854 and is the largest stone aqueduct in Japan, built to transfer water to an isolated plateau in the Yabe area. It is a symbol of Kumamoto. The builders used a sagging method, with each end higher than the center, to save on material cost. The problem was that sediment built up in the center, so sluice openings at its lowest point were installed to periodically flush the aqueduct.
Heavily damaged during the quakes and a subsequent flood, repair work has now been completed, and it will again act as intended, with water beginning to flow again for the first time in three years on April 19th. - William

Hi friends.
Kumamoto city Superintendent of Education says public school, elementary, junior high, high schools in Kumamoto should be postponed to reopen till end of GW, May 6, because of Corona crisis.
He also tells they will have online classes for students. In case your kids don't have their tablet to study, they lend a tablet to study for each students.It maybe more than 3rd grade of elementary school students.
You might get your school's schedule on 安心メール or マチコミ today or next Monday.
Schools are confusing more still now. Sorry we can't tell lots.
But the most important thing is your kids' safe and health, and Happy.
Please patient.
Hoping you can enjoy your precious time with your lovely kids!! ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2958553834196208&id=100001248625511?sfnsn=mo

Japan has banned air travel to countries with coronavirus. This includes the United States. If you live in Japan, you may depart but will not be allowed to return until further notice. A note from the US Embassy is below. - William
Effective from midnight on April 3, 2020, Japan will bar admission to travelers who have recently visited any country that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has designated ‘Level 3’ for infectious disease concerns, which includes the United States. Travelers from the United States are not permitted to enter Japan and should not board flights. For details and exemptions, please refer to the Japan National Tourism Organization's website.
At this time, Japanese authorities advise that passengers transiting in Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda airports without clearing immigration will still be allowed to proceed to their onward destination. Passengers will not be permitted to transit between airports or from an international flight to a domestic flight.
U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while limited commercial flights are still available. Due to a reduction in customer demand, commercial aviation route networks between the United States continue to diminish. Travelers currently in Japan seeking return fights to the United States should immediately consult with their air carrier(s) regarding possible flight rescheduling and/or cancellations.
The Japan National Tourism Organization maintains up-to-date information on screening and quarantine measures for travelers. They also operate a 24/7 visitor hotline, available in English. To call from Japan: 050-3816-2787; from overseas: +81-50-3816-2787. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also has a 24/7 hotline at +81-3-3595-2176 with English-speaking operators, and has a Q&A on the new measures. Residents of Tokyo, should check the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website for information in English on COVID-19.
The U.S. Embassy issued a letter regarding COVID-19 to U.S. citizen English teachers and advisors in Japan, which can be found here. https://jp.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/205/2020-04-01-U.S.Embassy.Tokyo_.Letter.to_.English.Teachers.pdf
All U.S. Mission Japan facilities remain open and staffed and U.S. Mission Japan personnel are following United States and Japanese government recommendations regarding social distancing and minimizing non-essential travel.
CDC Travel Notice for Japan: On March 21, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Warning (Avoid Nonessential Travel) for COVID-19 in Japan.

This just in. Erstwhile Kumamoto International regular Kirk Masden was recently found sitting alone at home reading a book. Computers and cell phones were all shut off -- yet another apparent victim of the NOSNS-20 virus. One symptom of this newly discovered virus is reported to be extreme avoidance of social media, especially Facebook. Confronted with his long absence, Masden is reported to have said "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. But I think I'm getting back to normal. I may even be ready to start posting again soon. And, I'll try to send apologies to all of the people whose messages I've failed to respond to."
Happy April 1st!

Hi again.
I would like to explain the Infection level 3 the Kumamoto city mayor told at his interview.
The level was different from National, Japanese Infection level. It's Kumamoto city original level.
He said it's the 3rd infection level.
It means we have more than 2patients not known their source of infection, and then 3 new patients in Kumamoto city. Our situation, patients are increasing now.
The level 4 is having non source 5 patients and 4 new patients.
The level 2 means we have new patients but less than level 3.
The level 3 is 3rd level but 2nd level from most dangerous situation.
# Now, TV news said #
we have the 15th patient. The patient lives in Kitaku, North area.
Yes, We have patients East, Middle, South, West, North, All of Kumamoto city, now.
Kumamoto city mayor ask us we should not go out and meet many people if it's 不要不急 works.不要(huyou) means not necessary.不急 (hukyu) means non-urgent. They CAN ONLY ASK to avoid unnecessary outings not only weekend but also weekdays.
If you have gone to
馬料理天國UmaryoriTengoku and
馬料理天國2代目UmaryoriTengokuNidaime these days, you should be careful. When you have doubt to get COVID-19, you may call hot line.
I've posted hot line before here.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3530988646974542&id=123734781033296
Anyway, we should be careful and stay home more.
Get over together!!ーAtsuko(｡•̀ᴗ-)و ̑̑✧

Hi friends.
My friend田島 巳起子 starts to share useful information in English from today.
Please check it also ーAtsuko(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
Kumamoto Coronavirus COVID-19 Info for Foreign Residents
Up-to-date news and information on COVID-19 coronavirus for English-speakers living in Kumamoto as well as general information on disease prevention.

Hi international students of KUMADAI.
I have been asked the schedule that KUMADAI starts.
I had some information classes start on 21st but maybe it's about undergraduate. Guidance might be held more earlier like April 8.
I also checked information.
So confusing information!
You should check your department page and check your laboratory. Many department posted schedule on their page.
https://www.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/daigakuseikatsu/kyoumu/copy_of_index
The page has documents that undergraduate students start at upper middle of the page.
For graduated students, you should jump into your department page. The icon is lower middle of the page. The schedule might be written as new information like '' ガイダンス'' ''行事'' ''令和2年度'' ''授業開始'' ''予定'' at the top page maybe. ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
お使いのブラウザではJavaScriptが無効に設定されているため、サイトを快適にご利用いただけないかもしれません。

"Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection Prevention Handbook for the General Public Ver. 2" by Tohoku University.
http://www.tohoku-icnet.ac/Control/activity/images/guide/english.pdf
This handbook was written with the goal of providing everyone with a correct understanding of infectious disease prevention so that you can go about your lives with peace of mind. I hope that this will help prevent respiratory infections, including COVID-19, at home．
This handbook is also available in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Mongolean languages from following link.
http://www.tohoku-icnet.ac/Control/activity/guide.html
Stay Safe.
- Hari

Hi friends.
It's Kumamoto city mayor's twitter again.
You might know the 11th and 12th patients were turned out. The 11th lives in Nishiku (West area).The 10th lives in Minamiku(South area) and the 11th has worked at the 10th office, addition the 12th is 10th's mother.
Yes, now the COVID-19 is spread all over the Kumamoto city without Kitaku, North area.
Be careful anywhere you live in.
The government can't decide when Kumamoto city public elementary, junior high schools start, still now.
Our public schools teachers are preparing both way, both schedule now.Government can't decide, so schools also can't tell anything now, Sorry.
Please check your 安心メールanshin email from your kids' school.They might tell you about school schedule on that email.
Hoping you can enjoy family precious time at home together!!
Stay home,
Enjoy family time!! ーAtsuko(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡

I'm a Californian. We have what's called a Mediterranean climate, with barely enough rain to sustain life. Thus, our hillsides are mostly barren of trees. When I first came to Kumamoto and saw the grass-covered face of Mt. Aso, I didn't get it - given the high rainfall, why isn't it a forest? The cause is noyaki (野焼き), a controlled burn conducted each spring which kills off the saplings but allows the perennial grassroots to survive. This creates a good place for cows. Our friend Yoshiko-san has a superb photo of it. - William

Hi friends.
Please be careful. The new patient seems not to be able to find the source where, when, from who,he got the Corona virus still now.
We should think there are Corona virus around us easily.
This video is really easy to understand and explain others, especially kids about Corona virus.
Stay home even if the Governor doesn't ask us not to go out.
Be safe, be healthy, be Happy.
I just hope you!! ーAtsuko(｡•̀ᴗ-)و ̑̑✧
The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do
Get Merch designed with ❤ from https://kgs.link/shop Join the Patreon Bird Army 🐧 https://kgs.link/patreon ▼▼ More infos and links are just a click away ▼▼ A...

There exist multiple types of cherry trees in Japan which blossom at different times and with differently shaped flowers. The most common is the someiyoshino (染井吉野), which blossoms early with delicate, very light pink or white blossoms spaced broadly apart. Another is the shidarezakura (枝垂桜 ) - weeping cherry, with long, elegant, very pink fronds. A favorite of mine is the yamazakura (山桜 - wild cherry tree), a hardy strain which blooms late and with compact deep pink blossoms that Japanese of old culinary heritage (such as my wife) pickle with salt and turn into food. The three types mentioned are pictured below. There are more, but these are the most common. - William

Good morning friends.
It's nice weather today.
But...
It's so Simple.
Stay home.
Please patient!
Not to be a patient!!
For you💕
For us🙏
For the World😭
ーAtsuko╰(*´︶`*)╯
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=868217766924469&id=100012087617313?sfnsn=mo&d=n&vh=i

Hi again.
Kumamoto city mayor and Kumamoto prefecture governor asked you to refrain from going out during this weekend.
Please stay Home.
Addition, Kumamoto city mayor told not to buy too much for stock.
Please remember Kumamoto earthquake, we did go through that tough days. The situation is better than that time.
Every shops are opened and they CAN prepare enough foods and items needed.
No worry, no need to rush.
He says,
Please share everything as residents like we did during Kumamoto earthquake.
Please be kind to any person next to you.
And he said, the 6th patient had stayed at ''ピースフル優祐悠'' before he noticed to have caught COVID-19. The patient 7th, 8th, used the same Onsen. The 9th patient is 6th patient's wife.
If anyone had stayed there and have doubt to get COVID-19. Please contact with hot line
(I attached Kumamoto city information on my previous post)
Both of them say '' Please stay at home''
Government doesn't give us any punishment but just ask us not to go out.
Japanese has ''恥(はじ)の文化'' ''culture of shame''. If someone goes out without thinking others, with someone's only benefit, it is thought, called ''SO SHAME OF YOU".
It's one of Japanese good way to control oneself. These days this '' shame'' culture seems decreasing but seems to work stills now.
Anyway,
Please stay home,
Be safe, be healthy, be Happy together
ーAtsuko(*Ü*)

Hi friends.
We seem to have lots patients in Kumamoto now.
Until few days ago, the host of COVID-19 were something unusual, special person, who went to overseas, big city, crowded place somewhere hot spot of COVID-19.
But now, we seem to have had cluster in Kumamoto.
Yes, the host is not special person. There might be some hosts around you, here and there in Kumamoto as usual residents.
The emergency level has changed, level up now.
PLEASE STAY AT HOME.

I attached Kumamoto government information.
Please translate it by yourself by using google translation.
Thanks Kirk. it helps me. He taught me this useful webpage at here, Kumamoto international.
Please read it whole till details.
I just hope all of your safe and healthy.

http://www.city.kumamoto.jp/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=26562
Please copy above page and paste, put in google translate page.
I tried to attach here but couldn't.
http://itools.com/tool/google-translate-web-page-translator?fbclid=IwAR1Hymlv_vNsAXvh-uRIh0SnyYreH0oTUX837TPns5MVAfSHaSNHYC03PH0
The information is really important warning.
I want you to read correctly from top to bottom.
Be safe,
Be healthy,
Be Happy.
For you, for us.ーAtsuko╰(*´︶`*)╯
新型コロナウイルス感染症について / 熊本市ホームページ

In our neighboring Oita is a tunnel officially called 竜門 (dragon gate) but popularly called トトロのトンネル (Totoro Tunnel as it resembles the tunnel Chihiro passed through into that different realm - different movies, but let's not get picky). I don't know which name is cooler. It attracts many who create moss art on the walls at the tunnel entrance. Our friend Yoshiko Toyama took some entrancing photos of it.
Moss art is easy - all you need is a rock and imagination. If you'd like to try, I'd suggest walking up the road from the base of Kimposan (free parking!). The road is lined with many moss-covered retaining walls and is mostly traffic-free. All you need to bring is your creativity. - William