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Vehicles yielding for pedestrians at unlighted crossings is obligatory, with a point deducted for each offense. However, police almost never enforce the law. (In my hometown in California, plainclothes cops pass repeatedly over problem crosswalks with backup pulling over infringers.)
JAF notes that Kumamoto ranks among the lowest amongst prefectures for drivers following this rule. Nagano was highest, with 69% of drivers giving pedestrians priority; adherence seems to fall as one moves south (maybe lack of snow?). Kyushu prefectures bottomed out the list: only 11% of Kumamoto drivers yield to pedestrians (and this includes cyclists), far below the 20% national average, which in and of itself is shockingly low.
Know your rights. If you raise your hand to indicate you intend to enter a marked crossing and are hit, the fault is always with the driver. Stats at the link, and please share your personal experiences in the comments section. - William
信号機のない横断歩道「一時停止」1割　熊本県内のドライバー ｜ 熊本日日新聞
信号機のない横断歩道を渡ろうとする歩行者がいても、熊本県内のドライバーのほとんどが一時停止しないこと...

特別支援学校 (tokubetsu shien gakkou) are special need schools providing education to the mental and physically impaired. A student of mine attends one; he is brilliant but dislikes noise, and drawing him to speak is a challenge. No doubt there are multiple behavioural issues in such schools.
Still, this in no way excuses the physical and verbal abuse a teacher at the Kumamoto Prefectural Special Needs School repeatedly inflicted on one of his students, including assault on the lower body and comments such as "You stink!" The school has apologized to the family and the teacher placed on leave - hopefully never to return. Patience and compassion are essential for all educators. - William
男性講師が生徒に暴力、暴言　熊本県立の特別支援学校 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
熊本県立の特別支援学校で、担任の男性講師が、男子生徒を殴ったり、暴言を言ったりする行為を繰り返してい...

Olivia here,
I have just come back from a drive to enjoy the view of Cosmos in 俵山交流館 萌の里
(Tawarayama Koryukan Moe no Sato)
Cosmos has kanji writings “秋桜” , meaning Autumn Cherry blossoms.
My first impression of Cosmos when I first saw them last year was that their stems were thin, yet they could last for quite a while even after few rainy days.

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Hi friends, again.
This is Face book page of Kumamoto Support center for foreign residents in Kumamoto Prefectural Office.
They might help you and your friends and give helpful information to live in Kumamoto.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
熊本県外国人サポートセンターKumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents
If you have any issues regarding living in Kumamoto related to residence procedures,employment, medical care, welfare, childbirth, childcare,children’s education etc., please feel free to speak with us. Your information will be kept confidential.

A river writhes along the ridge of Aso caldera until, just above Tateno Gap, it runs out of writhing room. Decades ago, engineers figured they could harness the cascade to drive turbines, creating electricity, so they constructed a large holding pond atop the ridge to regulate flow, big pipes, and a turbine building.
No one envisioned what would happen were the pond to fail, but they found out during the quakes: The torrent was so great as to erase the sole, narrow strip threading Tateno Gap on which ran Route 57, the main conduit between central Western and Eastern Kyushu. Engineers figured a workaround by building a tunnel, but that's a story for another day.
But what to do with the hydroelectric plant? Geologists are hard at work and have indicated restoration is possible. Kyuden wants the power as it's cheap and non-polluting. Kumanichi has the details at the link. - William
黒川第１発電「復旧可能」　九電評価委、貯水槽新設など示す ｜ 熊本日日新聞
熊本地震で貯水槽などが損壊した九州電力黒川第１発電所（南阿蘇村）の復旧可能性について、有識者らでつく...

Here's some information from Mr. Itoh of the Kumamoto International Foundation about an event organized by Kumamoto Sake and Shochu Makers Association. This is not a Kumamoto International Foundation event; the foundation is just helping to get the word out. -- Kirk
---- begin quote ----
If you don't know about 日本酒 Japanese sake, this is a very good opportunity to have it. You can taste about 10 different Sake and buy your favorite one.
How to apply:
Please fill in the following information, E-mail or Apply from the application form（ QR code）.
①Name（Representative in case of multiple）
②Number of people
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact:
Kumamoto sake and shochu makers association
[email protected]

Hi friends.
Just watch them, BOTH.
Sooo cool!!
You might like Kumamoto more!
ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4bafEu94d5c
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2350553128375814&id=100002634489295&sfnsn=mo&d=n&vh=e

Hi friends.
Is the event only for international people?? If Japanese are also OK, I love to join! But it's so nice opportunity for you. l'll give up to join, So You should join it instead of me, haha(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ーAtsuko(*Ü*)

A note from the Kumamoto International Nerd Desk (we don plastic shirtpocket pen cases): Train nerds know the main Kyushu Shinkansen trainyard is in Kumamoto's Tomiai Machi. Geology nerds know it's in a very low location surrounded by rivers. Meterological nerds know that it's flooded twice in recent history (fortunately, before the trainyard was placed there). In the aftermath of Tohoku Shinkansen loosing half of their fleet to flooding following the typhoon, the nerds are getting together to figure out what to do. No doubt they'll use slide rules. Their options are to elevate the yard (expensive!) or move it (more expensive!) Kumanichi has the details on deliberations. - William
ＪＲ九州　記録的大雨時の対策急ぐ　熊本市の新幹線車両基地、浸水想定区域内に立地 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
台風１９号の影響でＪＲ東日本の長野新幹線車両センター（長野市）で大規模な浸水被害が起きたのを受けて、...

My escape room, the only one in Kumamoto, will be opening again soon. Please check it out if you're looking for a fun challenge, and please spread the word to those who might be interested.
Thanks!
Fiona

My grandfather worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), mostly in Asia; his gifts and stories sparked my interest and is how I eventually ended up in Kumamoto. (Long, twisted journey.)
The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is similar to USAID. Japan Today reports that Kumamoto will be the first prefecture to coordinate with JICA to support non-Japanese workers as they prepare to come to Kumamoto and while they are here. The article says that, as of 2018, Kumamoto hosted 13,411 non-Japanese, up 16.64 percent from 2017, the highest increase in Japan. Most work in agriculture, followed by manufacturing and services. Kumadai will also participate. This is an interesting read. - William
JICA, Kumamoto tie up to facilitate hosting of foreign workers
The Japan International Cooperation Agency and Kumamoto Prefecture will launch a project next year to train young Japanese people to assist the western Japan prefecture in hosting its ever-growing population of foreign workers. The project will enlist Japanese nationals who have volunteered to provi...

Hello international basketball fan, Kumamoto Volters fan😁
I went to watch Volters game tonight again.
Of course, they won.
After game, they did raise a donation for big Typhoon disaster around East Japan.
You know? Their home town, home gym was at Mashiki town, the town Kumamoto earthquake's epicenter. Their home gym was also destroyed, disappeared, they couldn't any, enough practice on that time. But they gathered and did volunteers so much not only for substance but also mental care for kids, for all Kumamoto citizen as representative of them.
Yes, they know how hard in case disaster, how necessary the help is.
They became, they will be strong for Kumamoto. They will show our gratitude on behalf of us.
BTW, their game was so nice, we should gather and cheer them, enjoy games together. Sooo recommended!!!
I met the wife of Volters couch again. I became a friend on facebook and invite her here, Kumamoto - i. She might be a good friend for you, too, soon🤗💕
Yes,
Just Pass good balls one by one, one after another💕ーAtsuko(*Ü*)

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Olivia here with event information for this weekend.
When I first came to Kumamoto, the first place I brought my kids was カントリーパーク　(Country Park Kumamoto).
It is in Koshi city, and it holds seasonal events.
There will be “Bara Matsuri” ; “Roses Festival” at Country Park Kumamoto this weekend.
Some information in Japanese below:
第26回秋のバラまつり
​毎年恒例の、500種、3,300株の色とりどりのバラが一堂に咲きそろう圧巻の第26回秋のバラまつり開催です！
カントリーパークは、広大な芝生広場を中心にゆっくりくつろげる憩いの場です。なかでも、バラ園は多くの方々に色とりどりの花と、香りをお楽しみ頂いております。秋の芳醇なバラの香りと深い色合いをご堪能ください。
開催日：
​令和元年10月11日（金）〜10月22日（火）
開催時間：9:00〜17:00
※期間中は毎日開園します
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
主催：熊本県農業公園カントリーパーク
〒861-1113 合志市栄 3802-4 TEL096-248-7311
入園料：大人300円 高校生以下：無料
年間パスポート：1,200円（発行日より一年間有効）
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
I just checked weather forecast for this weekend though. We expect some rains for weekend. But maybe weather will change, hopefully.

Unless you're a dog (which my dog is) you've got to love cloud-to-cloud lightning, which is what we're experiencing now. It's not dangerous unless you're flying; don't fly now. But it does put on a heck of a show. - -William
Article - Education Resources

Kumanichi reports on a spike in youth bullying in Kumamoto, echoing a national trend. Now, correlation does not necessarily indicate causation - that is, the stats may simply indicate that more attention is being paid to the problem, which would be a good thing. The chart divides incidences with dark blue indicating "special" schools; light blue, high school; yellow, junior high school; and pink, elementary school.
My kids had no particular problem with bullying throughout their time in school here other than the typical jocularism that I also experienced as a student in my native US. That said, the senpai/kohai culture and demand to conform might leave some youth susceptible. I'd like any primary school teachers or parents here to share their experiences in the comments. - William
いじめ６年ぶり５千件超　１８年度の熊本県内小中高校など | 気になる話題 | くまコレ | 熊本日日新聞社
　熊本県内の国公私立小中高校、特別支援学校が２０１８年度に認知したいじめは５５７０件で、前年度より３１６１件増えたことが１７日、文部科学省の問題行動・不登校調査で分かった。いじめの認知件数が５千件を超...

Hello friends.
You might know the famous fireworks at Yatsushiro, so for newcomers.
It might be so crowded, I've never been it. But many international friends go every year.
Hoping you enjoy it.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
The 32nd Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition Festival | やつしろ全国花火競技大会
Competition fireworks There are only 3 firework competition festivals held in Japan. And, the Yatsushiro competition festival is the only one in Western Japan. Please enjoy the magnificence and the technique of fireworks launched by famous pyrotechnics in Japan. Fireworks accompanied with music. Fir...

If you look at the "About" section for this page, you'll see "Founded on October 17, 1999." That's the date I started the Kumamoto-i mailing list, the predecessor to this page:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/info
Thanks to the many people who have supported the mailing list and the page over the years!
-- Kirk

A note from the Kumamoto International Kumamon Conservation Desk (we observe them with binoculors in the wild, usually at public events): Rumors that the plush bear mauled by maurading Uraguayans was Kumamon are unfounded. Police continue forensic investigation of its identity, with one saying, "According to its tag, we suspect it may be Chinese". No word on its purpose of presence in the bar, nor on why the bar is called "Bacon Egg." Detailed photos of the plush bear are at the link. - William
Rugby: Uruguay players assault staff, damage Kumamoto nightclub
Two players from the Uruguay team have tackled a staff member and damaged property at a nightclub in southwestern Japan during a drinking session following their final game of the Rugby World Cup, police say.