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Kirk here with an update about Minamata disease. I think I wrote earlier that Minister Ito finally promised to start health surveys in a couple years. (Amazingly, a proper health survey of affected areas has never been undertaken; we only know about the people who have come forward on their own.) The first line of this article points to an even more serious issue -- the refusal of the government to relax the certification criteria:
"The environment minister dashed the hopes of uncertified Minamata disease patients by saying the government has no plans to review standards for recognizing sufferers of the mercury poisoning case."
Minister offers little in meetings with Minamata disease patients | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
NAGASHIMA, Kagoshima Prefecture--The environment minister dashed the hopes of uncertified Minamata disease patients by saying the government has no plans to review standards for recognizing sufferers of the mercury poisoning case.

To our American friends: That the upcoming election is important does not need to be impressed on anyone paying attention. The Center for US Voters Abroad allows confirmation that one is registered to vote in one's state and links to register if not.
My wife voted without fail - she was of the generation that understood the sacrifices Japan had made for that right.
I understand that this is not directly related to Kumamoto, but it is tangentially; as it's said, when America sniffs, Japan catches a cold.
- William
Register To Vote From Abroad
Most U.S. citizens 18 years and older are eligible to vote absentee from abroad.

(Fiona) This event is taking place on Monday July 15th and looks very fun. Apologies for the late notice.
Time to get dirty! Mudball!!
Japanese new sport “PK (Football) World Cup“ in Rice Field
Date: July 15th 10am - 3pm
Place: Ryumon Primary School
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kvoWZtDZnF6pdsCR8?g_st=ic
Fee: ￥1,000 (3 - 10 people / team)
Prizes
⭐️1st: Natural grown Rice 30kg
⭐️2nd: 10 Onsen tickets at Shirokane no Mori
⭐️Most Point Player: Goyado (whole old house) one night ticket
⭐️MDP: Twinstar 10 gelato tickets
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8MMkMFxxSG/?igsh=MWQwNnA3OTR0dG9tbw==
If you are interested in, please message on Instagram.
菊池市立龍門小学校 · Primary school
菊池市立龍門小学校 · Primary school
356 Ryumon, Kikuchi, Kumamoto 861-1672, Japan

Kirk here with something that is not specific to Kumamoto but is definitely relevant to the lives of folks in Kumamoto who are working as ALTs. I saw this article you see pictured in Japanese and thought it would surely have been published in English but, at this point, no such luck. But, never fear, AI to the rescue -- I'll append a ChatGPT translation of an abridged version of the article to this post.
The picture you see is one I downloaded from this Japanese Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0yTHtPvKvUue6oJR3HAUNUgeyc4sC7oBmjaPgeya6BQySs57UhVp4vmKK2WyVkmfLl&id=100041118318919
The English summary ("grossly underpaid") is mine.
I'll place a link to the online Asahi article after the translation.
--- start translation ---
An ALT Teaching English Faces Severe Low Wages, Endures a Day on School Lunches: "Loneliness in the Staff Room"
Junichi Miyagawa, July 13, 2024, 3:00 PM
Surviving on School Lunches Due to Severe Low Wages
"My living expenses are falling short, and my debt increases every month. Even when asked if I want to get married, I can only say 'I'm sorry' because of my unstable life. I can't even afford the train fare for a date."
Jesse Ali (43; transliteration of ジェシー・アリ, spelling unverified), from California, USA, who works as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanagawa Prefecture, made this plea on June 17 in front of the staffing agency he contracts with.
Jesse became interested in Japan after meeting a Japanese exchange student in high school. From 2001, he studied abroad at International Christian University for two years while attending university in the US. After graduating from his American university, he returned to Japan. Through a major ALT dispatch company, he has taught in elementary, junior high, and high schools in Kanagawa Prefecture for a total of about 15 years.
At elementary schools, he is responsible for 5-6 periods per day at a single school, teaching English conversation and singing English songs with the children. Since the guidelines differ for each dispatching board of education, he needs to rearrange the content. He also puts effort into creating his own illustrated characters, among other ideas. He speaks about his sense of fulfillment: "I want students to enjoy communication and expand their international interests."
"Even if I say I have no money, people don't believe me"
However, Jesse says he doesn't earn an income that matches his work. Although the number of lessons varies, even working five days a week, his monthly take-home pay is less than 200,000 yen. It decreases significantly during the spring break in March and April. There are no bonuses either.
--- end translation ---
There's more to the article but one has to register to view it. Here's the URL:
https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS7D31SZS7DULFA02WM.html
Anyone know anything about this?

Information about Kumamoto castle Today.
Atsuko(*•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Special Opening of the Inside of the Uto Tower Roof NEW
A special open house will be held on Sunday, July 14th to view the inside of the bare roof of the Uto Tower, which is currently undergoing dismantling and preservation work.
*The event is scheduled to be held on the second Sunday of every month, but may not be held in some months due to construction work.
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (ticket sales for Kumamoto Castle end at 16:00)
Cost: Free *Separate admission fee to Kumamoto Castle required
For inquiries, please contact Kumamoto Castle General Office (☏096-352-5900)
*The event will be cancelled in the event of bad weather (strong winds, etc.).
In the event of cancellation, we will announce it on this website and on Kumamoto Castle's SNS accounts.
*Notes
①Please do not stop inside the building.
②Do not touch buildings, tiles, etc.
③Please refrain from eating or drinking inside the facility. However, you may only drink beverages with a lid.
④Photography and video recording are permitted, but please refrain from using selfie sticks, tripods, etc.
⑤ Please be careful of uneven surfaces. If you are wearing heels, please be especially careful of your feet so that they do not get caught in gaps in the floor.
⑥ Strollers, wheelchairs, etc. cannot be brought on board. We cannot accept them for storage, so please take responsibility for managing them.
⑦Please be aware that rainwater may fall when it rains.
https://castle-kumamoto--guide-jp.translate.goog/news/detail/1075?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1H-xy-tqB7U6q_N1QpJbaWsHNqjza_UM0POzEFrX-TT8c6zWnkbglxXbc_aem_MBYjTbLbZoLQgJXpsvb4bQ&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Shimabara Peninsula is a cool 30-minute ferry ride from Kumamoto New Port on an air conditioned ferry which takes both cars and passengers (those on foot can take a bus from Kotsu Center). The small town, known as "the city of water", has long had close connections with Kumamoto; it was the last refuge for rebels seeking refuge during the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion (島原･天草の乱, 1638), when Amakusa Shirō rebelled against the local daimyo's efforts to prohibit Christianity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimabara_Rebellion
Today, several bukeyashiki (samurai houses, 武家屋敷) draw tourists, These houses are fronted with narrow canals from which the residents once drew water. In 1978, the town hit upon a further attraction: they stocked these canals with koi (the colorful ones are known as nishikigoi, 錦鯉, inspired by a nearby house dating to the late Meiji era which has a pond also with koi. https://shimabaraonsen.com/guide/shimeisou
While the town itself is no cooler than Kumamoto, the abundance of water makes it feel so. The nearby sea, full of grotesque islets created by eruptions of Unzen volcano, is also a delightful place for a dip.
This guide is an excellent read: https://zekkeijapan.com/article/index/705/ - William

Fukuoka makes for a wonderful day trip from Kumamoto, with beautiful beaches, a deep culture, fascinating history, and excellent food. It is a magnet for Kumamoto youth who find our town too small (it's said that the town has the most beautiful women in Japan as it attracts many Kyushu lasses who long for city life but don't want to venture so far as Kansai or Kanto). And no trip is complete without an evening meal at the yatai located at the southern end of Nakasu Island.
To my surprise, the yatai have a deep connection with Kumamoto: virtually all of them were built by a husband-wife team who hail from Amakusa. If you see Akagi -san prowling the stalls, give her a big ”どうかい！" shout out. The Asaihi has the story: https://ajw-origin.potaufeu.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15304295 - William
Master artisan of Fukuoka’s iconic food stalls makes 99 in 40 years | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
FUKUOKA--As dusk settles over the city's Nakasu district here, motorcycles and other vehicles appear along the riverside hauling large wooden box-like objects.

Kirk here with Tsuruya Department Store news:
"Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing is ramping up production at its first Japanese plant, drawing attention from local department stores eager to cater to the incoming executives. Tsuruya Department Store in Kumamoto is one such retailer. It boosts its luxury offerings, including fine wines and designer bags, to attract high-spending visitors."
Taiwan Semiconductor's Expansion Spurs Luxury Market in Kumamoto: Report
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) is ramping up production at its first Japanese plant, drawing attention from local department stores eager to cater to the incoming executives. Tsuruya Department Store in Kumamoto is one such retailer. It boosts its luxury offerings, including fine wine...

Kirk here with an article about continuing talks related to Minamata disease.
--- start quote ---
Ito responded to a joint request from the groups for a review of the scheme for recognizing Minamata disease patients and for appropriate health surveys. He said he aims to start within two years a health survey on the effects of methylmercury exposure on residents.
--- end quote ---
Regular readers of this page may recall that I've been pretty critical of how the Ministry has dragged its feet regarding demands to conduct a proper health survey to determine the extent of the impact on local residents' health. Well, finally, we have a promise to start "within two years". Even that strikes me as another delay but it's better than what we have seen so far.
Environment Min. Meets Again with Minamata Disease Sufferers
Minamata, Kumamoto Pref., July 8 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Environment Minister Shintaro Ito on Monday met again …

Another place to beat the heat, this time not too far from the castle. According to chronicles, a son of Emperor Jinmu (born 711 BCE) was sent to tour Hinokuni and, looking for a cool spot to wash his hands, found a spring which resulted in a delightful waterfall - hence, its name, Ochyouzu (お手水 - funky reading of that kanji). Its proximity to the sweltering castle later made it a favorite cooling-off spot for Kato Kiyomasa and the Hosokawa lords.
The waterfall remains (go ahead - climb up the rocks and stand under it!), surrounded by a large park with a lake and a fishing pond called Ochyozu no Mori (お手水の森) which is stocked with ayu (鮎, trout). A simple bamboo rod (竿, sao) can be rented with bait, and the question is not catching a fish but how many: no catch-and-release is allowed; you catch it, you buy it. They'll cook 'em there for you or you can have 'em cleaned for you and take 'em home. There is also a restaurant and a koi pond (buy some koi food and watch the lil' rascals suck 'em up - it's a great place for kids).
A walk around the area on tree-shaded lanes (its solitude now sadly bisected by an elevated highway) will take you to several temples, most with spring-fed ponds and their own stories (one pictured below). A visit is a wonderful, full day adventure that will certainly beat the heat.
- William
Ocyhozu no Mori website: https://nijimasu.jp/spot/ochozu/
Pictured: Ochyouzu and the nearby Jōdouji (成道寺) temple

Another installment on places to go to cool off in summer. In 昭和48年 (1973), the national government began work on a tunnel to connect the southeastern corner of Aso's caldera to Takachiho. They dug a bit and water spurted out; they dug more, and more water spurted out. Turns out, the further they dug, the more water there was, so they gave up. Now, it is a prefectural park called Takamori yūsui ton'neru kōen (高森湧水トンネル公園).
The tunnel sports trippy, artsy works along its walls which play on strobe lights and water droplets - they sometimes appear to travel upwards. It also decorates the central lane which separates the two outer paths - one in, one out, streams of frigid water in between - with decorations befitting the season. Now is Tanabata, (七夕, a rare pan-Asian holiday not celebrated in the west - interesting read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanabata), which features its most popular display: a whole lotta Tanabata lanterns.. Plunge into the immense imagination which created these works of art as well as the sublime coolness of the cave.
The tunnel is a ten-minute walk from the Minami Aso Takamori station - and the train ride is gorgeous as well. - William
https://www.town.takamori.kumamoto.jp/kanko/kankomap/kanko/yusui.html

Celebrating new currency featuring Shibasaburo Kitazato in his hometown. -- Kirk
--- start quote ---
In Oguni, Kumamoto Prefecture, a cash-exchange event took place at the Shibasaburo Kitazato Memorial Museum, which commemorates Shibasaburo Kitasato, a pioneer of Japanese modern medicine who was born in the town and is featured on the new ¥1,000 bill.
"I've waited a long time for this," local resident Eiji Anai, 73, said at the event. "It's the best experience of my life. I won't use the bill. I'll put it in a frame and display it."
--- end quote
People flock to get new banknotes in areas linked to new bills
The ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes have been redesigned for the first time in 20 years.

Mifune is an attractive small town, a gateway to central Kyushu, but there was really no reason to go there - until Costco put it on the map. "The name recognition of our town has rapidly improved. It's just like a theme park," says Mifune mayor Masayuki Fujiki. The Mainichi has the full story here. To our readers who have been there, please note your thoughts in the comments section. - William
Costco proving a one-stop shop for regional revitalization in Japan - The Mainichi
FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Since its arrival on Japan's shores a quarter-century ago, American membership-only warehouse food and home goods club retailer Cos

Kirk here. Recently, William mention the new Kyushu Chuo Expressway. I missed it at the time but it seems to have opened in February. Eventually, it will allow people to get from Kumamoto City to Nobeoka in Miyazaki Prefecture. Currently, however, it makes a trip to Yamato (previously known as Yabe, where Tsujunkyo is) much easier. Here's a YouTube video (from which the screenshot was taken) about the opening:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVEVwQ7sQA8
Here's a Wikipedia page in English:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyushu_Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D_Expressway
It's a little out of date but presents the basics.

Information about workshops on hands-on science learning.
Unfortunately, lectures and explanations are in Japanese, but children should be fine. I also participate as a volunteer.
I recommend programming, making things, etc.
Kumamoto Boys and Girls Inventors Club is active all year round at Sojo University and other places, and if 8/11 is too difficult for you but you want to learn, please join the regular course as well. We are looking forward to seeing you.
Atsuko( ˙-˙ )౨💗
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Let's try various experiences!
~Kumamoto City Invention Club is a club that fosters the creativity of boys and girls, held monthly at Sojo University~
A booth
Making paper airplanes from rubber
Challenge to make your own rubber-powered paper airplane
Participation fee: 500 yen
(1 person/1 time)
B booth
Robot programming
Build a robot and move it freely!
Participation fee: 500 yen (1 person/1 time)
C booth
Minecraft programming
Run the world of Minecraft with your own programs!
Participation fee: 500 yen (1 person/1 time)
Date:
Sunday, August 11, 2020
Morning course...Reception: 9:30~ /Activities: 10:00~12:00
Afternoon course...Reception: 13:30~/Activities: 14:00~16:00
Place:
Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. Kumamoto Branch 2F Large Conference Room (1-6-36 Josuizenji Temple, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City)
Approximately 15 people each time (morning and afternoon each)
From 3rd grade of elementary school to 3rd grade of junior high school
Contact us
Phone: 090-9586-6750 (Kikuchi)
Application
Please apply using the QR code on the back.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpOU3EEOm4Ex3W7YyAOTO8WB-l__zT3AXPguNztPlP2JNcyg/viewform
Sponsored by
:Kumamoto City Boys and Girls Invention Club Sponsored
:Kumamoto City Board of Education/Kikuchi City Board of Education/Wasui Town Board of Education
Cooperation: Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. Kumamoto Branch/Kumamoto Kiwanis Club/Kumamoto Prefecture Management Association
*Personal information submitted, such as photos and application information
Based on the regulations, it will not be used for any purpose other than this activity.
Kumamoto City Invention Club
https://www.facebook.com/hatsumeikids.kumamoto
Application form in English
https://docs-google-com.translate.goog/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpOU3EEOm4Ex3W7YyAOTO8WB-l__zT3AXPguNztPlP2JNcyg/viewform?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1hw__JgM2t0iqV9Nc4T1YjcLLdhN4k2NKpH6UiMMMvMew71Wj2FiZJO0w_aem_a-3-sfTjKMOCnar9C9v3RA&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Y'know when you're trekking and much of your day is spent worrying about the logistics of where you'll eat and sleep? This company has come with a unique idea: it arranges for the nitty-gritty of accommodations, meals, intermediate transportation (obviously, you're not going to walk around the entire island) on a pan-Kyushu tour including Kumamoto, etc., allowing you to focus on the fun of your trek. Whether you do it yourself or recommend it to visitors, it sounds like a wonderful way to discover Kyushu. - William
https://okujapan.com/trips/kyushu-hidden-history-self-guided-walk-and-explore/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3tS3I2-swfrl-7t9oyWM3hbe80dvCV_xobeqO_ecUGx3NyPeOVwRT5VwU_aem_IovCatATBgKw_F6fc54OpQ

Beautiful Higo Asagao @ Suizenji park.
Atsuko (*ᐛ*)ᒃ✨
Time: July 7th, 2024 8:30 -12: 00 @ Kokin Denju-no-ma (special exhibition)
8：30～12：00 古今伝授之間（特別展覧）
July 8th to 10th 2024 8:30 to 12:00 @ Exhibition hall in Suizenji Seihoen
8：30～12：00 水前寺成趣園内　展示館
Fee: Admission to Suizenji Jojuen

With rainy season over and that infernal cauldron which is summer upon us, perhaps you would like to flee Kumamoto for the relative coolness of the mountains. My wife's family hails from Yabe (now referred to as Yamato-cho); family business took me there recently, and I drove the new trans-Kyushu expressway (Kyushu Oudan Kousokudorou 九州横断高速道路, photo below). Not only has it turned what was once a two-hour drive into a 45-minute one, it is a gorgeous, surprisingly straight road with few tunnels and many bridges from which tiny hamlets and rural scenery can be viewed.
Yabe is most famous for its late-Edo era aqueduct bridge Tsujinkyo (通潤橋), which most people look at and promptly depart. Too bad as there is much more. To the right of the bridge is a stairway cut into a cliff which descends to the marvelous Gorō ga Taki waterfall (五郎ヶ滝). Though frowned upon, it is possible to swim to the side of the waterfall (hint: swim backwards as the ricocheting water comes like bullets), climb up a shelf on the cliff, and then move directly behind the waterfall. This is both refreshing and thrilling.
The path continues through a gorge along a pathway suspended above the river, eventually leading to stairs which lead out of the gorge to rice paddies and back to the bridge. Note the different rock types on the gorge walls - this is due to the area being formed by two different eruptions of Mt Aso.
The walk is only moderately strenuous: it is short but contains long flights of stairs. There are few dining options in Yabe (mom-n-pop ramen shops, a Joyfull), so you might want to pack a picnic, though the new highway may well change this by making Yabe more accessible. Finally, the expressway will eventually connect Kumamoto with Beppu, Oita, which has some excellent beaches. More about that later. - William

Heavy rains are always a possibility in the later summer and early autumn here. They tend to be particularly severe when they come in the early morning hours, when folks are asleep. If we get some storm warnings (as we already have this year) please take them seriously. -- Kirk
Four years ago . . .
Victims of heavy rains in Kumamoto remembered four years on
Bereaved families and others on Sunday prayed for those killed due to heavy rains in Kumamoto Prefecture four years ago.

The Asahi points out that Taiwanese have surpassed Koreans as the largest source of Kumamoto tourists, leading to a spike in sales at such stores as Tsuruya, which has added signage in the traditional Chinese characters used there (the mainland uses the simplified form). One visitor was quoted saying something I'm sure we can all agree upon: “Kumamoto, I like the tempo here. It’s more relaxing than in Tokyo and other big cities.” - William
Taiwanese now leading tourists in Kumamoto Prefecture | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
KUMAMOTO--Tourists from Taiwan are now flocking to Kumamoto Prefecture, site of a new semiconductor plant that is expected to generate huge economic benefits for the area.