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Kirk here with some statistics about our local tram:
"The tram began operation on Aug. 1, 1924, when the city took over the rights to run it from a private company. The tram originally had two lines but gained more over time. By 1959, the length of its lines totaled 25 kilometers. The tram reached peak ridership in 1964, when it saw an average of 116,097 passengers per day."
Kumamoto: Tram Still Running After 100 Years; Having Survived Earthquakes, Budget Shortfalls
KUMAMOTO — The Kumamoto City Tram celebrated its 100th anniversary this month, having survived the threat of being scrapped and the damage caused by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.

Kirk here. Cassie has already posted about this (thanks Cassie!) but I found this English-language article with updated information so I thought I'd share it.
It may take a while for the exact nature of the microbe is determined but one theory I heard mentioned on TV is that the higher temperatures we've experienced recently may be one factor that contributed to this unusual phenomenon.
Cases of vomiting, diarrhea among swimmers in southwest Japan river jump to 109 - The Mainichi
The number of people complaining of vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms after playing in a river near the Todoroki Falls in southwestern Japan's Kum

Cassie here. Last night the Shinkansen was shut down at Shin Tamana station. This was on the route from Osaka to Kagoshima. It says that someone was hit by the train. Living in Tokyo I heard this a lot. I don’t hear about suicides as much on trains in Kumamoto. It doesn’t say suicide specifically but they usually don’t say the word. No matter how it happened it’s so tragic. I am coping and pasting the Japanese article I found in here.It’s from Kyodo news and I found it in my yahoo weather app.
九州新幹線で運転見合わせ　熊本で人身事故
8/23(金) 22:20配信
共同通信
九州新幹線が一部区間で運転見合わせとなり、切符の払い戻しなどのために列をつくる人たち＝23日深夜、JR熊本駅
　23日午後8時40分ごろ、九州新幹線熊本―新玉名間を走行中の鹿児島中央発新大阪行きみずほ614号が、異常音を感知し緊急停止した。運転士が床下を点検後「人と衝突したようだ」と指令所に報告した。乗客乗員約350人にけがはなかった。
　JR九州によると、九州新幹線の博多―熊本間の上下線で運転を見合わせた。熊本―鹿児島中央間でも遅れが出た。24日午前1時ごろ全線で運転を再開する見通し。
　JR西日本によると、九州新幹線と接続する山陽新幹線の列車も途中駅で待機し、遅れが出た。
　博多駅の切符売り場は払い戻しのために長蛇の列ができた。

Cassie here. It seems 46 people including high school students went swimming in Amakusa on August 13. Since then they have become sick with stomach problems like diarrhea and nausea. They have been receiving medical treatment. This is the Japanese article below. So be careful when swimming in rivers etc. and avoid swallowing water.
滝周辺で水遊びした46人 おう吐や下痢などの症状 熊本 天草 | NHK
【NHK】熊本県天草市の滝周辺で水遊びをしていた高校生など合わせて46人が、20日までに相次いでおう吐や下痢などの症状を訴えていた…

Kirk here. "TSMC estimates that its two wafer fabs in Kumamoto will consume approximately 8 million cubic meters of groundwater daily by 2028, which accounts for about 5% of the region’s current annual groundwater supply." 5% of the groundwater supply every 4 years or so would suck it dry in about 80 years if if weren't for recharging. The article says that TSMC will redirect its used/waste "water into fallow fields" so that it can seep into the aquifer (i.e. recharge it) but my guess is that it's going to be easier to get the water out of the aquifer than it will be to put it back in.
All this reminds me of a deal that was cut in the U.S.:
How a Saudi firm tapped a gusher of water in drought-stricken Arizona
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/07/16/fondomonte-arizona-drought-saudi-farm-water/
Groundwater is a very valuable resource and when it's gone, it's gone.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5922149
Taiwan’s TSMC faces groundwater issue at Kumamoto plant | Taiwan News | Aug. 20, 2024 16:33
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is participating in a Japanese initiative to help preserve groundwater by directing water into fallow fields.

Kirk here with strange news of a convenience store worker being involved in the apprehension of a suspect in Kumamoto.
P.S. I had trouble making sense of the headline when I first saw it but the idea is that the suspect confessed to the convenience store worker, who then called the cops while the suspect waited for them to arrive.
https://japantoday.com/category/crime/man-arrested-after-telling-convenience-store-worker-that-he-assaulted-robbed-woman-in-hotel
Here's a Japanese news video about the arrest:
https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/kkt/category/society/kkff4569d6c2144a72b85d80f57dd7b762
Man arrested after telling convenience store worker that he assaulted, robbed woman in hotel
Police in Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture, said Sunday they have arrested a 20-year-old unemployed man on suspicion of sexually assaulting and robbing a woman in her 20s at a hotel in Kumamoto City. According to police, the incident occurred in the hotel in Nishi Ward at around 9:30 p.m. on…

Cassie here about a local restaurant. Today I went to Wah Gwaan with a friend in Ueki. It’s a Jamaican restaurant with a great atmosphere. The staff are really friendly. We actually stayed for 2.5 hours until they closed for their break time before dinner. There is also easy parking available in front of the restaurant. I had the fish and chips because I can’t eat spicy food.
熊本市北区のランチならおしゃれカフェCafe&Grill WAH GWAAN(ワーグワン)
熊本市北区植木町のランチやディナーなら、ジャマイカ料理専門のおしゃれカフェCafe& Grill WAH GWAANへ。口に入れた瞬間スパイシーな香りとハーブの風味でやみつきになるジャークチキンがイチオシ！

Atsuko here.
Want to work at Google?
Dear Parents and English Teachers,
We are planning to hold a workshop for children on careers in information technology with engineers working at Google.
It all started when Kirk shared a news article here on the Kumamoto International Facebook page about people in Yamaga using Nintendo Switch to teach programming to elementary school kids:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/858381926323600
I saw that and, in a comment, introduced my friend Kenji from Google, who is also from Kumamoto. I wrote that he also does online programming workshops for kids.
The conversation progressed, and we decided to introduce Kenji's online workshop to the children in Kumamoto. This time, the workshop is not about programming but about careers in information technology.
"How should you live your life?''
"What should we do to connect with the world in Kumamoto?'' These are topics that go beyond programming or narrow technical issues.
The online event we are planning will be held on the last Sunday of the summer vacation, and we hope many kids, regardless of nationality, will participate. This event will be conducted in Japanese, but we plan to hold other events in the future in English.
Sunday, August 25, from 9:30 a.m.
ZOOM Online Training.
For more information, please contact Kenji via LINE at the following address (QR Code).
https://terakoya-ameba-jp.translate.goog/a000001615/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/share/6veD9apLundw6MKw/

Kirk with an English translation (ChatGPT) of this Japanese news article about improving life in Kumamoto for foreign residents:
Kumamoto Prefecture to Establish a New Promotion Headquarters Next Month for Improving the Environment for Foreign Residents
August 15th, 16:23
As the number of foreign residents in Kumamoto Prefecture increases due to the expansion of Taiwan’s semiconductor giant, TSMC, Kumamoto Prefecture has decided to establish a new promotion headquarters to improve the environment for accepting foreign residents.
According to Kumamoto Prefecture, the number of foreign residents in the prefecture has reached a record high of over 25,500 as of the end of last year, largely due to the expansion of TSMC. This number is expected to continue growing.
In response, Kumamoto Prefecture will set up a new promotion headquarters next month, led by Governor Kimura, to share and address the issues faced by foreign residents and their families living in the prefecture.
The headquarters plans to work in cooperation with municipalities to improve the environment for foreign workers to live in the prefecture and to promote interactions that help these residents and their families integrate as members of the local community.
At a regular press conference on August 8th, Governor Kimura stated, “If Kumamoto does not become a place that is favored and chosen by foreigners, there is no future for Kumamoto. I want to discuss the challenges and tasks we need to address as a whole prefecture.”
熊本県 外国人受け入れ環境整備へ 推進本部を来月新設｜NHK 熊本県のニュース
【NHK】台湾の半導体大手、ＴＳＭＣの進出などに伴い、熊本県内に住む外国人の数が増える中、熊本県は、推進本部を新たに設置して、受け入れ環境の整備など…

Atsuko here. This is a great spot for parents who are tired of their children not being able to leave the media during summer vacation.
くまりば, Kumariba in Hitoyoshi City.
https://kumariva.com/
You can enter a hot spring that will smooth your skin for 400 yen and read manga.
There is also a core working place for parents.You can spend time with children together whether you have work to do, want to read, take a bath, or read manga.
I have also taken two baths and done some work. My daughter enjoyed the manga.
The fireworks looked beautiful tonight.

Kirk here. I received this inquiry about accommodations near Aso Farmland from someone who is concerned about animal welfare. Please respond in a comment if you have any information to share.
-----------
I wonder if anyone can help:
We are looking for a hotel, where we could stay for about 2 weeks, on the bus route to Aso Farmland. The Arden Hotel would have been perfect but they don't have rooms available. Higo–ozu – does anyone know of a good hotel here? Or anywhere else on the bus route to Aso Farmland? (Unfortunately we don't have an international driving licence and we can't get one over the Internet.)
The reason we want to visit Aso Farmland is because 4 capybaras were taken away from Nagasaki Bio Park and sent there. One of the capybaras, Donut, was an elderly capybara, 11 years old, and leader of the herd and Nagasaki Bio Park was the only home he had ever known. It was exceptionally cruel to send him away. I've written a blog about this (translated into Japanese and Mandarin).
https://capybaraworld.wordpress.com/2024/07/01/cruel-treatment-of-capybaras-at-nagasaki-bio-park/
We would be very grateful for any help. We would like to visit Aso Farmland sometime between the middle of September – middle of October. And unfortunately we will have to use public transport.
Cruel Treatment of Capybaras at Nagasaki Bio Park
Nagasaki Bio Park is not a good place for capybaras to live. To send an elderly capybara away from the only home he has ever known is cruel. Donut is 11 years old and has spent his entire life at N…

"Located on the charming island of Kyushu, Kumamoto boasts a cost-efficiency rating of 8.3 out of 10. With Mount Aso (one of the world’s largest active volcanoes on its periphery that lends the prefecture its title of ‘The Land of Fire’), 17th-century castle grounds, and traditional onsens, Kumamoto promises a well-rounded getaway in Japan."
Not sure how the "cost-efficiency" rating is calculated but I would agree that Kumamoto offers quite a lot at relatively modest prices. -- Kirk
https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/destinations/asia/most-popular-budget-friendly-cities-to-visit-in-japan/

Cassie here. This is related to all of Japan. I’m sure most of you are aware that Japan is going more and more digital for customs when returning to Japan. I have used the Visit Japan site on my last several trips home to the US. However there were still paper forms available on the plane. When I came back to Japan from a school trip in Australia they no longer give the paper forms on the plane. You can find paper ones after you pick up your luggage. However using Visit Japan web is easier if you have an account. If you don’t have one yet I suggest you make one before leaving or returning to Japan. The link to the website is below. I’m wondering if eventually the paper forms will no longer be available.
Visit Japan Web

". . .openings for engineer jobs related to the production of semiconductors or chipmaking equipment in fiscal 2023 jumped 14.24-fold from 10 years before" -- Copy and pasted by Kirk
Japan chip industry talent race heats up
Job opportunities have expanded notably in Kyushu and Hokkaido.

Kirk here. For better or worse, this community is set up as a "page," not a "group." That means only "editors" can post, and participants can only comment on threads initiated by editors. However, anyone can become an editor. So, I'd like to encourage all of you who are willing to do a little volunteer work or have content you'd like to share to contact me. I'll be more than happy to give you editing privileges. And being an editor doesn't mean you have to post—it just gives you the option to do so when the spirit moves you.
P.S. In the past, editors ('yours truly' included) sometimes had to endure rather harsh criticism and/or sarcasm for problems with posts (real or imagined, important or trivial). However, in recent years, the community has been very peaceful. I think you can expect a generally warm, appreciative reception. :)

Kirk here. TSMC pledges to be environmentally friendly (?). Hope the water is OK.
TSMC’s Kumamoto plant pledges to use 100% renewables despite high costs
The move is not just an exercise of corporate responsibility but also a response to demands from the chipmaker's large customers.

Kirk here. I'm a fan of Yamaga. There's a big festival there this week (15th and 16th). If you can make it, the details for this year are spelled out in Japanese here:
https://yamaga-tanbou.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bb3f3c2242242840c9d4b6ad87c36a1c.pdf
An general overview of the festival in English can be found here:
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/458/
And here's the article that prompted me to post about Yamaga today:
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20240811-204258/
Craftspeople Making Yamaga Lanterns Carry on Tradition While Modernizing Desgns
A thousand women wear golden lanterns on their head and dance in yukata summer kimono every August at the Yamaga Lantern Festival in Yamaga, Kumamoto Pref. Yamaga lanterns are made entirely with washi paper and glue without any wood or metal fittings.

Kirk here. One Piece statues still popular.
'One Piece' statues draw fans from Taiwan, Philippines to Japan region
Series creator Oda teams with hometown of quake-hit Kumamoto to fuel recovery

Recently, earthquakes have been increasing again. Let's be careful! Atsuko(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/i8d8QG5PnBWPKNVv/

Kirk here. If you're interest in the high school baseball tournament, Kumamoto Kogyo plays Hiroshima in the first game Monday morning.
https://www.jhbf.or.jp/sensyuken/2024/tournament/
P.S. The schedule say "Day 6," I think be cause the schedule is always vulnerable to changes in the weather, but it looks like the game will probably be played on Monday (the 12th) as planned.