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Joe Tomei here. I post this because this may be of interest and I hope that uni teachers in the Kumamoto area can fill in the details. This is a google form with university start dates from around Japan. If you are a uni teacher and can fill in the info for your school please do, it would be good to know.
Japanese College & University Response to COVID-19 (日本高等教育におけるCOVID-19への対応)
Japan Prefecture 都道府県,College/University Name 高等教育機関名,Postponed Start 授業開始の延期,Documentation (Link to University Announcement) 証拠資料（大学からのお知らせなどのリンク）,Other Notes,READ ME 注意 Aichi,Aichi University,April 22,<a href="http:/...

As COVID19 continues, Japan is slipping into lockdown. (On a personal note, my daughter, who now lives in LA, has been ordered to work from home and thought, "Well, I can do that from Kumamoto!" but I advised against international travel at this time as whether and when you can enter a country can change on a dime.)
Americans who have not registered with the Embassy should. They will then send by email such useful messages as this:
Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Tokyo (March 26, 2020)
Japan’s Enhanced Screening and Quarantine Measures for Travelers from the United States: The Government of Japan has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Effective March 26, all travelers arriving from the United States, including Japanese citizens, will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days at a designated facility, and to avoid using any public transportation, including taxis, trains, and buses, until after the 14-day period. Transiting on a domestic flight within Japan is also considered public transportation, so you will not be allowed to fly to your onward destination in Japan until completing the 14-day self-quarantine. The self-quarantine location may be your residence if you live in Japan or a hotel, but the Japanese government reserves the right to “designate” the location of your self-quarantine. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.
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 available at: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/covid19_qa_kanrenkigyou_00003.html.
Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancelations and limited flight availability. If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline. At this time, several airlines are maintaining reduced service from Tokyo to certain destinations in the United States. These flights are subject to change or cancelation at any time.
Several local or prefectural governments, including Tokyo, have requested that residents stay home this weekend and refrain from nonessential outings. Some prefectures outside of Tokyo have requested that residents avoid travel to Tokyo, and the Governor of Hyogo has extended a request to avoid unnecessary travel between Hyogo and Osaka. The Governor of Okinawa Prefecture has requested that residents refrain from traveling outside the prefecture as much as possible due to the spread of COVID-19 in metropolitan areas like Tokyo and Osaka. Please check with government officials in your area if you have questions about these requests.
All U.S. Mission Japan facilities remain open and staffed and U.S. Mission Japan personnel are not inhibited at this time by any freedom of movement restrictions/prohibitions.
Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel: The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
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.
Actions to Take:
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Japan.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Visit the Department of State’s Japan Country Information page.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3224-5000, After-Hours: 03-3224-5000
Email: [email protected]
https://jp.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/
U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
Telephone: 06-6315-5912
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Consulate Nagoya
Telephone: 052-581-4501
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Consulate Fukuoka
Telephone: 092-751-9331
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Consulate General Sapporo
Telephone: 011-641-1115
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Consulate General Naha
Telephone: 098-876-4211
Email: [email protected]
State Department - Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

- William
新型コロナウイルスに関するQ&A（水際対策の抜本的強化）英語版について紹介しています。

Hi friends.
Positive thinking.
This current unnerving atmosphere offers a good opportunity to update your emergency quake kit.
But,
Please Don't buy up.
Never hoard too much.
Let's share as residents.
Bought foods and daily stuck up makes only fear, worry.
Preparing always for any disaster is necessary. You might know preparing and sharing is really necessary and important always
because WE ARE Kumamoto Citizen,
because WE KNOW and went through Kumamoto Earthquake!!!!!!!!!ーAtsuko(*Ü*)👍
Making sure you're prepared for a Japan-wide lockdown
With a potential lockdown looming, it has never been a better time to update your emergency earthquake kit.

Hi friends.
Unfortunately, it's the announcement for you not to gather and eat and drink under the beautiful Cherry blossoms especially Miyukizaka, the road to Kumamoto castle.
Miyukizaka is always closed because of Kumamoto earthquake damage but it has been opened only during Sakura season for 3years.
But this year, it's impossible to be opened, Yes, because of COVID-19.
We should not gather into same, crowded place and should not eat and talk closely together.
It's so pity we can't do HANAMI but I think it's a wise and right decision to protect citizen.
These phone numbers are if you want to ask what you should do when you have doubt having COVID-19.
I added two Cherry blossom pictures. It's Someiyoshino at Kawashiri elementary school.
You can find many Cherry blossoms wherever in Kumamoto easily.
Fortunately, we don't need to be shut up in the house everyday, whole day. We don't need to pay penalty, a fine for going out.
We can go out with self-controled.
We should enjoy with keeping promise not to gather crowded, closely, closed.
I really hope you can enjoy this beautiful season in fresh air healthful and happilyーAtsuko╰(*´︶`*)╯

Hi friends.
It's said Cherry blossoms season has started.
The time of full blossoms might be around 1st April.
These pictures are my previous house's my lovely Cherry blossoms I planted.
Yes, it's not ソメイヨシノ, different kind of Cherry blossoms, maybe, a kind of Yaezakura.
Hoping you can enjoy this beautiful pink colored season with fresh air not crowded😉
Whole blossoms,,,not only blossoms, branches, tree, air, whole atmosphere also become colored pink, I feel.
Hoping you can feel and enjoy them too.ーAtsuko╰(*´︶`*)╯
https://this.kiji.is/614677804552651873

Hi friends.
Prime Minister Abe said schools can reopen in early April as scheduled.
But still now, it might depend on each situations, each prefecture, each town, each schools...l think.
The confusion might continue, unfortunately.
Now, what we can do is only to stay at home, spend with our family.
In Japan, we don't need to be arrested, we don't need to pay a fine, a penalty. But we should control ourselves.
Your patients might make good results, early solution, peaceful town, kindly citizen.
Your 自粛(じしゅく)voluntary restraint, self-restraint makes our Happy, global happiness╰(*´︶`*)╯
Hoping Happy April will come soon!
ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
Schools in Japan can reopen in April after coronavirus shutdown
But Abe remained cautious in his approach to allowing organizers to hold large events, asking them to carefully examine whether the gatherings are necessary amid group transmission risks.

Hi again,
Olivia again,
I am not residing in Kumamoto anymore, I am in Taiwan now.
I have observed how Taiwan is handling Corona virus outbreak, and I think the country has done quite well to contain the outbreak.
The Corona virus fight is still not over yet, and when I thought everything has returned to normal in Taiwan, there are imported cases from people returning from overseas trip.
The Taiwanese government is quite strict. When there was one case turned out in one local high school, the whole school was closed for a week.
This picture of social distancing, I got it from Atsuko, is to bring awareness, for us to avoid unnecessary social gathering for a while.
I hope it will be helpful for Kumamoto residents too.

Hi all,
Olivia here,
I am posting a Job advertisement with details below;
Please take a look 🙂
INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL TEACHER POSITION AVAILABLE.
Hilltop International School.
Tatsuda Jinnai, Kumamoto, Japan.
Great work environment!
Full-time, M-F, 40 hours/week (15-18 teaching).
250,000-260,000 yen/month.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher for 4-5 year-olds class.
Teach using a balance of play-based learning and age appropriate academic instruction.
Requirements:
Native English speaker, ECE study +work experience (preferred but not required) and four-year degree.
One-year renewable contract.
5 weeks paid vacation plus all national holidays.
Sponsorship and housing acquisition assistance available.
Start: Between April and August 2020. Applicants living in Japan are preferred.
All details discussed in SKYPE interview.
We are not a Christian school however the owner is Christian.
Apply by e-mail with resume, cover letter and photo.
Mail to: [email protected]
HP: https://hilltop-is.com/

As Wikipedia defines it, "A fumarole (Latin, fumus, "smoke") is an opening in a planet's crust which emits steam and gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen sulfide. The steam forms when superheated water boils as its pressure drops when it emerges from the ground."
Our friend AnnMarie Ichiki recently posted this photo of Aso. Apparently, a new fumarole has formed. - William

Hi friends.
You should know this information well.
French health minister has warned that widely used over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs may worsen the coronavirus.
イブプロフェン is NG.
There are many kinds of including Ibuprofen medicine at drug store.
アセトアミノフェンisOK.
we call Acetaminophen as カロナールin Japan.カロナール is also OK.
If you have bad cold having headache or fever, you should take アセトアミノフェンacetaminophen, paracetamol.
NOT イブプロフェン,IBUPROFEN.
Ibuprofen makes you worse, terrible, seriously condition when you got COVID-19.
In Japan, Acetaminophen is called as カロナール Caronal, especially in hospital.
Japanese famous acetaminophen medicine are below.
famous ibuprofen are below.❌❌❌
😱Bafferlin has acetaminophen and ibuprofen BOTH.
So you shouldn't take it!!
My information is from this article
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/14/anti-inflammatory-drugs-may-aggravate-coronavirus-infection
Please be safe, be healthy, be Happy together too.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
# Someone said it fake news, my son told me so, but i don't want to give doubtful medicine for my kids, for you.
Just only that.#

Hi friends.
My international friend asked me about the recommended spots of beautiful cherry blossoms.
I introduced some famous places like Kumamoto castle, Kengun street...and my favorite places like Heisei chuo kouen and Karikusa kouen.
She asked me Kikuchi city is also beautiful or not.
Yes, in this Sakura season, all of our country, Kumamoto will be full of cherry blossoms.You can find and enjoy them everywhere easily.
And yes, we had not better gather one crowded place together even if it's outdoors.
But I would like to enjoy this precious season!
So,
I suggest you to go to enjoy Sakura at COUNTRYSIDE💖
For example, this video was taken at Yamaga city.So beautiful!
Hoping you also enjoy these beautiful Sakura at countryside with walking in the fresh air and comfortable nature sounds.
I'm sure it might be your special Sakura memory in Kumamoto.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
Anyplace of countryside are recommended and beautiful!!(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
1 山鹿市菊鹿町相良 相良公園
Yamagasi Kikukamati Aira,Aira kouen
2 山鹿市鹿本町 一本松公園
Yamagasi Kamotomachi, Ipponmatsu kouen.
3 山鹿市蒲生 蒲生の池
Yamagasi Kamou, Kamou no ike.
4 山鹿市日輪寺
Yamagasi Nichirinji
5 山鹿市岩野川桜づつみ公園
(山鹿市鍋田水遊び公園横)
Yamagasi Iwano Kawazakuradutsumi kouen.
Nabeta Mizuasobi kouen yoko.
https://youtu.be/3KOZBlL5zvc
熊本県山鹿市の春 - SAKURA 2017【ドローン空撮 4K】
【#39】 4月13日に、山鹿市の桜を撮影して来ました。 今年は桜の開花も遅く、満開になったかと思ったら雨が続きましたが、、 この日は絶好の撮影日和になったので、速攻空撮に行って参りました！ ですが、NDフィルター付...

Good morning friends.
It's an announcement for international workers in Japan.It's written in easy Japanese. And you can find English text at bottom of that page.
Hoping you can enjoy this period with your family not having hard time.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
It's an announcement from government, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
It has English text.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/koyou/jigyounushi/page11_00001.html

Kumamon turns 10 years old today. Though he seems to have gained a bit of weight since his debut (haven't we all), he has evolved well - the early Mickey Mouse would have sent me fleeing in terror. - William

A quick note about the ume（梅), which may be translated as a Japanese plum or apricot as it's a unique species, sort of a hybrid (those in international marriages with children will get this). Its flowers may be white or pink, and its blossoming, earlier than the cherry and with a far more overwhelming fragrance, is a harbinger of spring. Its fruit is highly astringent so is never eaten raw but may be pickled to make "umeboshi" and is also used to add flavor to grain alcohol to make a sweetish drink called "umeshu." Its hardy, compact flower is the national symbol of Taiwan. More can be read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_mume - William
Prunus mume - Wikipedia
Prunus mume (Chinese: 梅 méihua; Japanese hiragana: うめ, ume) is an East Asian tree species classified in the Armeniaca section of the genus Prunus subgenus Prunus. Its common names include Chinese plum,[2][3][4] Japanese plum[5] and Japanese apricot.[2] The flower, long a beloved subject in th...

Hi friends.
Today is the memorial day of Great East Japan Earthquake.
Pray for TOHOKU,
Pray for 3.11
We also had hard experience of big earthquake almost 4years ago, here, in Kumamoto.
We had lots destroyed houses and lots victims. We needed lots help.
Thanks to great help, lots volunteers came to help us, lots foods and items have arrived in Kumamoto but it took too much long time to be helped, to get any help, any foods.
On the other hand, lots volunteers should have waited in long line.
We should tell and improve our life better as the citizen of the time.
Great Works!! KUMADAI💖👍ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The text is written by Keep, Kumamoto earthquake experience project, KEEP.
Kumamoto students have developed an app to help disaster recovery volunteers register much more quickly than before.
In the aftermath of a disaster, where every minute counts, such streamlining of administrative tasks will allow volunteers to more quickly make a difference. Such uses of technology will help to alleviate suffering and potentially help to save lives
It's KEEP facebook page.
They try to study from earthquake experience, and spread their experience and study for international people.
https://www.facebook.com/kumadaiquake/
Kumamoto students develop app to register volunteers : The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--After strong earthquakes rocked Kumamoto Prefecture in 2016 and volunteers flocked there t

Our friend Yoshiko Toyama posted this photo of Kumamoto: Its frightening power and delicate beauty. - William

Hi friends.
How was weekend?
This is an article about the people who plan to go back your country these days, after graduation, about the people who plan to travel during spring holiday.
You should check and make sure your country will accept you or not.
It's serious problem.
Just hoping all of you are safe and healthy, and Happy!! ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
https://www.facebook.com/6321018343/posts/10156915606483344/?sfnsn=mo

Good morning friends.
This is invitation from Kawatsu Zakura at アスペクタ Aspecta in 南阿蘇村Minami Aso Mura.
So beautiful!!
Hoping good weather too!ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
Access
https://aspecta.jp/access/

Hi lots of ALT friends in Kumamoto.
My friend, my elementary school's ALT seems same situation also.
You might spend not interesting days, lots stressful days, Sorry. We, Japanese teachers are in the confusion days still now, too.
Please enjoy your Japanese life relaxing even if you can't go out, you can't go to work. How about to think It's extra time to enjoy your stay in Kumamoto.
How about cooking Japanese foods, taking a walk ALONE😜 but feeling Japanese spring sunlight, spring wind.
I just hope you can enjoy your extra holiday not as arrested day!!! ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
With the coronavirus canceling classes, what are English teachers to do?
ALTs and English-language school employees are reporting confusion over what role their employers should play in a possible pandemic.

Hi friends.
I know you love spring flowers so much.
I dropped on 植木市 Ueki ichi on my way back to home today.
You may see lots various lovely flowers at there. The price is also reasonable. Flowers heal and cheer up me well.
It's held at 白川河川敷Shirakawa Kasenziki, river side of Shirakawa till 11 March.
It has also lots Japanese traditional tools, foods, picture, golden fish shops.
It was not crowded today. Even if you don't go there because of COVID-19, you can enjoy the spring flowers cheering atmosphere from pictures, I hope.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
https://kuma-uekiichi.com/