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Kirk here. Here's a video that explains why so much rain has been dumped on Kyushu lately. In Japanese, the phenomenon is called "線状降水帯" (senjo kosuitai), which is sometimes translated literally as "linear rainband." The problem with "linear rainband" is that it doesn't seem to be an expression that is actually used by meteorologists in the English speaking world. "Training," on the other hand, does seem to be a term that is actually used in English. The idea is that a train of storms goes over the same area, resulting in inordinate amounts of precipitation in that spot. It's related to another phenomenon, called "back building."
I'm interested in the terminology because I'm a language geek and have a special interest in how translations go wrong. NHK got this one right, in my view, but you can find news articles that merely translate the various parts of the Japanese to invent the new English term "linear rainband" -- not a good communication strategy, in my view. I'll refrain from adding links to such English articles because doing so seems to make Facebook replace the main image and link with that article.
Kyushu slammed by storm training | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Kyushu has been devastated by unprecedented rainfall in recent days. NHK World meteorologist Sayaka Mori explains how a weather phenomenon known as a training is causing the downpours.

Kirk again. One aspect of the recent rain disasters in the Kyushu area is that "level 5" warnings on the JMA's (Japan Meteorological Agency's) relatively new scale (came out last year, I think) have been issued. Last year, I complained that the JMA neglected to publish an official description of the scale in English. I even called them to point out how providing an English explanation of the relatively clear scale would be helpful. Alas, no change. NHK has a pretty good page in English about the scale:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/587/
It's worth looking at but it shares a problem with the Japanese explanation found on the JMA site:
https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/kishou/know/bosai/alertlevel.html
The only sentence that "explains" what you should do at level 5 is the following:
命を守るための最善の行動をとってください。
Do your best to protect lives.
NHK translates this vaguely frightening (or frighteningly vague?) advice as follows:
"People should make every effort to save themselves."
One thing NHK does a better job of outlining on it's Japanese page about the scale is that by the time you get to level 5, it's probably too late to evacuate:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/saigai/basic-knowledge/basic-knowledge_20190529_07.html
So, my take on what you should do at level 5 is as follows:
"Probably too late to call for help or evacuate. So, I think you're on your own now, kid. If you're in a building with several floors, it might be a good idea to move up a floor or two. Umm, other than that, umm . . . you wouldn't happen to have a boat, would you?"
It's not very scientific or official sounding but perhaps a bit clearer than "make every effort to save yourself."
There are a lot of things I like about Japan but "clarity of expression" is not on my list of Japanese strengths.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/2657253907681358

Just so you don't have to go outside and check: http://www.qsr.mlit.go.jp/kumamoto/bousai/kasen_live/kasen_live01.html

Kirk here. When I first saw the image associated with this news article, I thought I was looking at something from the 2016 earthquake. Sayeth Yogi Berra: "It's like déjà vu all over again." And speaking of déjà vu, I've been struck by how television reports on the ongoing crisis have been interspersed with reports on ceremonies commemorating the victims of the torrential rains that hit Kyushu in 2018:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/06/national/anniversary-2018-west-japan-floods/
https://www.registerguard.com/ZZ/news/20200707/death-toll-from-flooding-in-japan-rises-to-50-dozen-missing
Death toll from flooding in Japan rises to 50, dozen missing
TOKYO (AP) " Soldiers rescued residents on boats as floodwaters flowed down streets in southern Japanese towns hit by deadly rains that were

Hi friends.
If you live in north of Kumamoto and near the river addition near the beach, you also should pay attention about the time of high tide, high water.
It's 10:30pm tonight. Today is 大潮 Spring tide, the highest tide comes till 435cm.
If the river's water has increased so much already, I recommend you to escape before it's dark, before high tide.
Be careful, stay safe🙏
Help yourself and your neighbors!
ーAtsukoヽ(≧Д≦)ノ

Joe Tomei here with a weather update from the hard working JET prefectural advisors, Bilal Khan & Lily McDermott and I'm deeply grateful to them for allowing me to share this with the list.
======
Hello Kumamoto,
The heavy rainfall in Kyushu remains serious, so we'd like to give some updates:
Emergency Warning in Fukuoka and Nagasaki; heavy rains also expected to hit Kumamoto
As of the time of this e-mail heavy rain is falling in Nagasaki and southern Fukuoka Prefectures, which are now under an Emergency Warning [JMA]. Evacuation orders have been made in areas such as Sasebo, Kurume and Hita [NHK]. The Hikosan river in Fukuoka has flooded in some areas [NHK].
Live footage of some areas can bee seen on NHK here: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/realtime/rt0003180.html?utm_int=all_contents_realtime_001
The same heavy rainfall noted above is expected to move into northern Kumamoto (Nankan, Arao) [JMA Hi-res Nowcast]. Please continue to stay vigilant in staying up to date on the evacuation status of your area and on the risk of landslides and flooding of surrounding areas. Please be prepared to evacuate if necessary and take precautions such as filling your bathtub and setting aside your go-bag. Please confirm with your tantosha where you should go if required to evacuate.
Evacuation Warnings
Warnings to prepare for evacuation (避難準備 hinan junbi), reccommending evacuation (避難勧告 hinan kankoku) and ordering evacuation (避難指示 hinan shiji) have been issued in various municipalities.
As a reminder, please check any of the following links for updates on the evacuation status of your area: [Kumamoto Pref. Disaster Prevention Portal] [Yahoo! Japan] [NHK]
Evacuation orders are currently in place in Yatsushiro City, Hitoyoshi City, Minamata City, Tsunagi Town, Nishiki Town, Taragi Town, Yunomae Town, Mizukami Village, Saraga Village, Yamae Village, Kuma Village, Asagiri Town.
As of 5:26 pm today, Kumamoto City has also announced a recommendation for evacuation for residents near mountainsides (due to risk of landslides).
*Note: Home pages for 19 municipalities, including Yatsushiro and Hitoyoshi are offline [NHK]. Some municipalities are providing up-to-date information on their Twitter accounts, For example:
- Hitoyoshi City: https://twitter.com/hitoyoshishi
- Yatsushiro City: https://twitter.com/yatsushiro0801 (Special disaster homepage: https://saigai-yatsushiro.jp/)
As we mentioned in our earlier e-mail, the word "hinan" in Japanese has the nuance of "seeking safety/shelter" and does not necessarily mean you must go to an evacuation facility, especially if there is risk of flooding and landslides, due to the potential danger associated with re-locating. Sheltering at home (if it is safe to do so in your particular living situation) is also an option so as to avoid over-crowding at evacuation shelters in light of COVID-19.
For those of you who are unsure of where the closest evacuation center is, please refer to the following: [Yahoo! Japan (You can find a map of evacuation facilities for each municipality and filter by type of natural disaster] [Google map of evacuation centres and water provision sites maintained by a private support organisation]. If you need water you can get it from your closest evacuation centre.
Updates regarding the situation in the south of the prefecture:
41 confirmed dead, 1 more found without vital signs, 10 missing; search continues [NHK: 1 2]
National government moves to declare the situation an "Extremely Severe Natural Disaster" (激甚災害 gekijin saigai) which would put it in the same category as the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes and entail the same scale of financial assistance for recovery. Approximately 2200 members of the Self-Defence Forces and 100 national government workers have currently been dispached to affected areas. [Yomiuri Shimbun]
Post offices, banks and convenience stores closed in affected areas [NHK: 1 2 3]　
14 bridges along the Kuma River have been swept away [NHK]
Several communities along the Kuma river remain practically isolated, rescue activities ongoing [NHK]
Lastly, here (again) are some websites where you can get up-to-date information
Japan Meterological Agency (in English)
You can track advisories/warnings on this page of the website.
You can track landslide risk in real-time on this page of the website.
You can track flooding risk in real-time on this page of the website.
You can track precipitation in real-time on this page of the website.
Kumamoto Prefecture Disaster Prevention Portal (Japanese only, machine translation possible)
Kumamoto Prefecture Disaster Prevention Information Hompage (Japanese only)
Kumamoto Prefecture River Level and Weather Warning Information with radar (Japanese only but has very useful and detailed information)
Kumamoto Landslide Risk Map (Japanese only)
Information on Expressway Closures (Japanese only)
Finally, the Japan Meteorological Agency has announced that even if rains subside there is still risk of extreme disasters occurring, so please do not hesitate to seek shelter. ⇒[NHK: 気象庁「雨弱まっても重大災害のおそれ ためらわず避難を」]
大雨特別警報 九州各地の状況｜NHK NEWS WEB
【NHK】さまざまな分野のニュースをいち早く、正確にお伝えするＮＨＫニュース。映像をリアルタイムで配信しています。

We're gonna have a whole lotta rain in the city from the evening. Brace yourself. - William
気象庁 | 雨雲の動き（高解像度降水ナウキャスト）
このページでは、1時間先までの降水分布の予報をご覧いただけます。また、強い雨の領域や雷の活動度、竜巻発生の確度などを重ねて表示できます。

Kirk here, back again after a long absence. Special thanks to Atsuko for the useful information about Hitoyoshi. I'll try to pitch in with some news articles. This is from today's Japan Times:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/05/national/seven-confirmed-dead-deluge-hits-southern-japan/
On yesterday's news I heard that close to 500 millimeters of rain were dumped on parts of Hitoyoshi and on Minamata. These were record numbers for the various locations. 500 millimeters is more than a foot and a half for metric-challenged Americans like me. Just standing in a foot and a half of water is deep enough but when you imagine how water runoff tends to become concentrated in certain spots, I think you can imagine the catastrophic torrents that such rain would cause.
35 confirmed or feared dead as unprecedented downpour wreaks havoc in Kyushu | The Japan Times
Rescuers plucked people from their homes in Kumamoto after heavy rain triggered floods and landslides.

Hi. again.
This is evacuation center and the place water supply map.
It is said the heavy rain will come tonight also.
I recommend to move to more safe place.
Be careful, stay safe.
Don't go to check river especially midnight.
Please cheer up each other to be strong!
ーAtsuko╰(*´︶`*)╯
2020年7月 熊本豪雨 支援地図 - Google My Maps
最終更新 (Last update): 2020-07-05 18:36 熊本県内の給水・開設済み避難所スポットのまとめです。 内容には万全を期しておりますが、ご利用は各自の責任でお願い致します。 各ポイントについて出典を明記しておりますので、そ....

Hi friends.
It's so sorry we had terrible disaster in South of Kumamoto. There might be lots victims.
I couldn't catch up detailed information well but I would like to share some for them, hoping it helps them.
Please be safe!
Please help each other!
Please be strong!!ーAtsuko(*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑
PS, If you have something trouble or ask, Please let me know, I'll try to search and answer!! (｡•̀ᴗ-)و ̑̑✧
These are evacuation center map in Yatsushiro city.
https://www.navitime.co.jp/category/0511004/43202/
These are evacuation center map in Hitoyoshi city.
https://www.navitime.co.jp/category/0511004/43203/

Hi.
These are catching up information about the damage, disaster of heavy rain.
Be careful and share good information.
Help each other!!ーAtsuko(*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑
https://www.facebook.com/102578774767337/posts/150888426603038/
NHK
https://www.facebook.com/461895657190529/posts/3714036775309718/

Hi again.
Fortunately, the government said they don't open Ichifusa dam because of reducing rain.
But Unfortunately, I heard lots flood suffered places like Hitoyoshi, Ashikita.
At first, be safe!! Be careful !!
And Let's help each other!!
This is my supporting volunteer team's facebook page. They share lots information about this heavy rain, flood, emergency notice.
It's written in Japanese but you might know how dangerous it is.
Please escape,
Please be safe.
Even if you don't have heavy rain, Please share the information to safe lives.ーAtsuko🙏
https://www.facebook.com/NpoBondandjustice/

Sorry notice again.
The post is now (around 8:30am)at Hitoyoshi city.
From 9:30, the Ichifusa dam will open to prevent its overflow.
Yes the river level will become more high.
Please be safe! Help each other!!
This is my supporting volunteer team's facebook page. They share lots information about this heavy rain, flood, emergency notice.
It's written in Japanese but you might know how dangerous it is.
Please escape,
Please be safe.
Even if you don't have heavy rain, Please share the information to safe lives.ーAtsuko🙏
https://www.facebook.com/NpoBondandjustice/
I shared the warning to escape from Ichifusa dam opening.
https://www.facebook.com/123734781033296/posts/3911956915544378/

Hi friends.
Just Hoping all friends safe.
The notice is for the people who live around the KUMAGAWA, Kuma river.
Please escape to high place!!
当初の午前8時半から1時間遅らせて、9時半からとしました。
Kumamoto government plan to open the Ichifusa dam to prevent its overflow at 9:30( at first they planed at 8:30 but postponed to 9:30)
県は、球磨川のダムの下流にあたる、▼水上村、▼湯前町、▼多良木町、▼あさぎり町、▼錦町、▼人吉市、▼球磨村、▼芦北町、▼八代市の住民に対し、川の水位の急な上昇や氾濫に備えて、命を守る行動を取るよう呼びかけています。
Because of opening the dam, the KUMAGAWA water level will become MORE HIGH!!
PLEASE ESCAPE TO HIGH PLACE TO BE SAFE!!
The notice is for the residents who live in
水上村Mizukami mura ▼湯前町 Yunomae machi▼多良木町Taragi machi▼あさぎり町 Asagiri tyou、▼錦町 Nishiki machi ▼人吉市 Hitoyoshi shi▼球磨村 Kuma mura▼芦北町 Ashikita machi ▼八代市 Yatushiro shi
Around KUMAGAWA area.
Be careful about suddenly water level going up.
I live in Kumamoto city, no heavy rain fortunately but,
Please be safe.
Share and help each other!! ーAtsuko٩(°̀ᗝ°́)و
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200704/amp/k10012495531000.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200704_08/amp.html
Emergency discharge for Kumamoto's Ichifusa Dam | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Kumamoto prefectural officials have announced they will discharge water from a dam in Mizukami village to prevent it from overflowing.

Hello all!! If you've ever donated blood in Japan you may (or may not) know that most Irish & British people can not give blood here due to BSE(狂牛病). Mad, eh!?!
Today I was prompted to once again look at the restrictions on giving blood in Japan as a foreign mother's friend's husband in Kyoto was appealing for O-Negative donors for an urgent transfusion 👍🏥💉💉 It seems like those precious stocks are being replenished in the Kinki Region but, if you are also O-Negative you may consider joining the RH Negative Japan group. Some of you may be able to help others as it can be an especially worrying situation if hospitals are running low, yet won't let people 'stock' THEIR OWN blood if they are from the UK&Ireland!
Looking at the Kumamoto Red Cross Blood Bank site, it seems that Kyushu is also running low at present. I'm sure that Covid-19 has had something to do with this current shortage, but if you're willing and able, please consider donating blood. You can check the whereabouts of the Kumamoto Blood Bus in the links below if that coincides better with your own location. Many thanks in advance! - Ruth (O+)
Donating blood in Japan: https://ajet.net/jet-community/volunteering-charity/donating-blood-in-japan/
RH Negative Japan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2649969878566467/
Japanese Red Cross (Kumamoto): https://www.bs.jrc.or.jp/bc9/kumamoto/index.html

Kumamon visited Tokyo for the first time in three months. Traveling is difficult for him as he has to book two adjoining seats to accompany his girth. - William
くまモン、再開だモン　東京に３カ月ぶり登場 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
新型コロナウイルスの影響で東京での活動を休止していたくまモンが１日、東京都中央区の銀座熊本館にサプラ...

Was there just a power outage, or was it only my house?

I live in the house built by my father-in-law's brother. For decades, it was used as a dormitory for local high school students, and the graffiti they carved into the walls remains, which I enjoy reading. I once punched my way up into the attic and was startled by a giant 御幣 (gohei, a Shinto relic used for purification). Obviously, I let it be: it's worked so far. - William

Combine a disposable culture (beverage bottles, bento boxes) with a lack of garbage receptacles is a recipe for disaster, and that is exactly what is happening in Kumamoto, as Kumanichi points out. To be sure, there are bright spots: many companies begin their morning by tidying up their nearby parks, and some areas have mini tori to deter dumpers, but this really shouldn't be necessary. Where I come from, if you leave litter, others will jump in your face for it. Perhaps that is what is required in Kumamoto. - WIlliam
繁華街の〝顔〟ごみだらけ　熊本市の辛島公園 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
熊本市中央区の中心繁華街で、市民の憩いの空間となっている辛島公園で最近、植え込みやトイレ周辺に空き缶...

Hola, Soy Joe Tomei. Here is another set of Spanish translations of the COVID information. If you are a Spanish speaker and know of a similar list in Japan for Spanish speakers, feel free to pass these on and contact me if you'd like to get them more directly. If you do post them to a Spanish speaking list, here is a disclaimer in Spanish
This is a Spanish translation of Japanese information located at https://note.stopcovid19.jp/. We are reporting COVID-19 sobte to transmit the information coming out in Japanese. The measures taken by these translations, in case problems arise, we inform you that we are not responsible. We're doing this in English, but we'd appreciate help not only for that, but also for translations in other languages.
¿Cuál es la importancia de examinar los anticuerpos del nuevo coronavirus?�https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JnPWGAu8mQ1dPynHyZ521vLi7jUTKxR0/view
¿Qué está pasando con la investigación del estado de infección del COVID-19 en Japón?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/104tT710YqO9qynxf_1gRmgDuWAlJ0jFwibSZhdHRftU/edit?usp=sharing
Expertos × Medios de comunicación Hacia la realización de una sociedad que "teme justamente y se cuida a las personas" (artículo largo)�https://docs.google.com/document/d/17eHLuPsYIYc4yz7pN3Efmm2SVwFzsC4VXo26pVShlS8/edit?usp=sharing
Para los que viven con mascotas
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17eHLuPsYIYc4yz7pN3Efmm2SVwFzsC4VXo26pVShlS8/edit?usp=sharing
Cuál es la importancia de examinar los anticuerpos de la nueva corona.docx