Posts

" . . . you want to make sure anyone who’s preparing fugu for other people to eat knows exactly what they’re doing, and one person who does is Karin Tabira, a 10-year-old girl from Kumamoto Prefecture who’s now the youngest person in history to pass the fugu preparation certification test."
A couple of videos are embedded in the article. -- Kirk
10-year-old Japanese girl is youngest person ever certified to prepare deadly poisonous blowfish
”It was a good summer vacation.”

The main event (the parade with the period costumes and horses) is scheduled for Monday, September 16 (Respect for the Elderly Day) this year. -- Kirk
Fujisaki hachimangu Reitaisai ~Shinkoushiki~
Fujisaki Hachimangu Reitaisai is the annual grand festival of Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine&m...

Cassie here. Big news for Chuo-ku specifically Oe. Aeon is closing in February next year. It was originally Daiei than changed to Aeon. It has not been decided what will happen to Gran Paleta where the movie theater is yet. As someone that lives and works near Aeon this was a big shock especially since they only remodeled it in the last few years to put in Viva Homes. The article is below but so far there are only Japanese articles.
【熊本市中央区】イオン熊本中央店閉店。～空高くダイエーの影をうっすらと残しながら、今までありがとう！再開発に期待して一旦さようなら～ - Yahoo! JAPAN
イオン熊本中央店閉店のニュースに県民一同が注目しました。閉店は2025年2月28日（金曜日）です。イオン熊本中央店　閉店イオン熊本中央店が閉店との事です。1980年に「ダイエー熊本店」としてオープンしたこちら。ダイ....

Kirk here with a news article, translated by ChatGPT. (There's a video news report on the page I'm linking to.)
--- start translation ---
Kumamoto Prefecture Holds First Meeting of its Multicultural Integration Promotion Headquarters: Addressing Challenges such as 'Wage Levels and Childcare Systems' Amid the Highest Growth Rate of Foreign Residents Nationwide
September 3, 2024 (Tuesday) 18:48
With the number of foreign residents in Kumamoto Prefecture on the rise, the prefecture held the first meeting of a promotion headquarters it established to further multicultural integration and secure additional human resources.
The meeting was organized by entities including the prefectural government, the prefectural Board of Education, and the police.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of foreign residents in the prefecture reached a record high of 25,589—about 2.6 times the figure from 10 years ago (9,693 in 2013). The growth rate over the past year, up until January, was the highest in Japan.
Foreign Resident Growth Rate: 1st: Kumamoto Prefecture - 24.18%
2nd: Hokkaido - 24.14%
3rd: Saga Prefecture - 23.33%
During the meeting, projections indicated that the number of foreign workers in the prefecture will increase to about 51,000—approximately 2.8 times the current number (10,226 last year)—by 2040. However, concerns were raised about issues such as the low wage levels making Kumamoto companies less attractive, differences in lifestyle and culture, and the lack of adequate childcare systems to accommodate children in local facilities.
Governor Keiji Kimura of Kumamoto Prefecture:
"We plan to carefully address the challenges presented today by collaborating with the various departments and consulting with cities and towns. We aim to formulate policies by the end of the year."
The next meeting is scheduled for November, during which the introduction of advanced initiatives by businesses will be discussed.
Other Key Challenges (excerpt):
・　Insufficient multilingual support (including simple Japanese) in administrative services
・　Communication difficulties during emergency calls (119) and in medical and emergency settings
・　Lack of crime prevention and traffic safety information provided to foreign residents
・　The need to enhance disaster preparedness education and strengthen disaster readiness for foreign residents
・　Insufficient financial and human resources to support learning, such as Japanese language and professional qualifications
・　Outflow of foreign workers to metropolitan areas
・　Concerns about illegal employment invitations through social media, leading to disappearances
・　Resident disputes arising from a lack of understanding of garbage separation and traffic rules
・　Communication difficulties with residents due to insufficient Japanese language skills
--- end translation ---
在留外国人の増加率「全国1位」　熊本県が共生推進本部で初会合 “給与水準や保育体制” など課題出し合う | 熊本のニュース｜RKK NEWS｜RKK熊本放送
熊本県内で暮らす外国人が増える中、多文化共生やさらなる人材の確保に向け、県が設置した推進本部の初会合が開かれました。この会議は、県や県教育委員会、警察などが設置しました。総務省などによりますと、県内…

Taijin here. This is my first posting to the group.
[Interactive Exchange Meeting Between Local Residents and Foreign Residents]
This afternoon, I participated in an [Interactive Exchange Meeting Between Local Residents and Foreign Residents] at the invitation of the district's neighborhood association federation. After listening to a presentation on the current situation of foreign residents in Kumamoto City, we broke into nine groups to introduce ourselves and discuss the challenges foreigners face.
In my group, three women have lived in Kumamoto for over 30 years and two Vietnamese women who had recently arrived in Japan. We discussed various aspects of livability and difficulties from different perspectives. Among them was a woman from Obiyama who loves Kawashiri but mentioned that her lack of a driver's license limits her freedom to go out. We learned that there is a "Foreign Wives' Association," and if invited, about eight members could gather quickly, so we discussed possibly organizing an event.
In the end, the foreign participants were eagerly waiting to see the kimono-clad young girls perform, and they received a great ovation.
It seems that with the influx of foreigners related to TSMC, facilitating rich exchanges is becoming increasingly important. To do this, it's desirable to share and understand local Japanese customs, implicit manners, and unique cooking methods to promote better integration and interaction.

The typhoon has gone and it has cooled down a bit.
Unfortunately, it is narrated in Japanese, but it is my hometown, Nagomi machi !
Come visit Nagomi machi ! Atsuko٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و
「九州が本当に好きなんです」という真矢ミキさんと訪れたのは、美しい自然のなかに、日本の歴史と文化が息づく熊本県和水町。約1500年前に造られた豪族の古墳を散策したり、緑に囲まれたキャンプ場でのんびりとした.....

Kirk here with a link to a YouTube video about Kumamoto. The video editing is very well done. On the other hand, it's not always easy to figure out how to find the places shown in the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF_WXCZ0fW
Kumamoto Vlog 🇯🇵 Getting Sick in Japan, What to do in Kyushu Japan, Fukuoka Day Trip, 熊本旅行 2024
Discover the best things to do in Kumamoto City, Kyushu! 熊本Home to the largest active volcano in all of Japan (Mount Aso 阿蘇山), #kumamoto 's stunning local a...

Kikikuru (Japan Meteorological Agency's Disaster Hazard Distribution) shows landslides, flooding, rivers likely to overflow, and flooded areas.
So far, Kumamoto doesn't seem to be too much affected, but I am worried that the typhoon is now heading for my mother's house, Nagomi machi.
Everyone should still be vigilant."‎꜀Atsuko(๑•̀ㅁ•́ฅ✧
Kikikuru
https://www-jma-go-jp.translate.goog/bosai/risk/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_hist=true#zoom:10/lat:32.739361/lon:130.638981/colordepth:normal/elements:flood&hazardmap
Live camera river.
https://www-qsr-mlit-go-jp.translate.goog/kumamoto/bousai/kasen_live/index.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Here's Joha. Here's an online Hazardmap provided by Kumamoto prefecture. To be prepared for a network breakdown an offline one would make more sense, yet, I thought this one might be better than nothing.
https://portal.bousai.pref.kumamoto.jp/?p=hazard&ll=32.637061996573436%2C130.77850341796875&z=9
As an advise it might be good to know the exact locations of evacuation shelters (multiple is better) in your surroundings and possible safe routes to get there. Such shelters can have different purposes (tsunami, fire etc.) so make sure to choose the right ones.
Last but not least, in case of evacuation keep your stuff at a minimum (ID card etc.) to maintain mobility. It's also good to prepare a Rucksack or similar handy carry bag in advance.
There are numerous sites for foreigners providing infos on disaster preparedness. A good choice is the Tokyo Fire Department.
https://tokyo-resilience.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/assets/pdf/DisasterPreparednessTokyo.pdf
Stay safe folks!

Atsuko here.
With a typhoon approaching, I believe the announcement of school closures for elementary and junior high schools in Kumamoto City came through the "Suguru" system. Recently, I've been studying ChatGPT, and as a writer, I'm enjoying how interesting and impressive it is. I thought this would be a good time to test it out with a post.
To all my readers around the world, what do you think of the translation my ChatGPT, Chappie, provided? Is the information being conveyed accurately?
By the way, when a typhoon approaches Kumamoto, if it passes on the Amakusa-Nagasaki side, west of Kumamoto, the damage tends to be significant. This time, it seems to be taking that route, so everyone, please stay safe.(*'ω'*)
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
1. アメリカ英語
Due to the anticipated impact of Typhoon No. 10 on the Kumamoto City area, Kumamoto City elementary and junior high schools, as well as Aoba Special Support School, will be closed from Thursday, August 29 to Friday, August 30. During the school closure, public after-school care programs will also be suspended. Further details regarding school attendance on Monday, September 2 will be communicated to parents by each school.
Kumamoto City Board of Education, Education Policy Division
Phone: 096-328-2704
2. イギリス英語
Owing to the expected impact of Typhoon No. 10 on the Kumamoto City area, Kumamoto City primary and secondary schools, as well as Aoba Special Support School, will be closed from Thursday, 29th August to Friday, 30th August. During the closure period, public after-school care programmes will also be suspended. Information regarding school attendance on Monday, 2nd September will be communicated to parents separately by each school.
Kumamoto City Board of Education, Education Policy Division
Phone: 096-328-2704
3. フランス語
En raison de l’impact prévu du typhon n°10 sur la région de la ville de Kumamoto, les écoles primaires et secondaires de la ville de Kumamoto ainsi que l’école de soutien spécial Aoba seront fermées du jeudi 29 août au vendredi 30 août. Pendant la période de fermeture, les programmes de garde après l’école publics seront également suspendus. Des informations concernant la reprise des cours le lundi 2 septembre seront communiquées aux parents par chaque école.
Service des politiques éducatives du Bureau de l’éducation de la ville de Kumamoto
Téléphone : 096-328-2704
4. イタリア語
A causa dell’impatto previsto del tifone n. 10 sulla zona della città di Kumamoto, le scuole elementari e medie della città di Kumamoto, nonché la Scuola di Supporto Speciale Aoba, saranno chiuse da giovedì 29 agosto a venerdì 30 agosto. Durante il periodo di chiusura, anche i programmi di doposcuola pubblici saranno sospesi. Ulteriori dettagli riguardanti la frequenza scolastica di lunedì 2 settembre saranno comunicati ai genitori da ciascuna scuola.
Divisione Politiche Educative, Ufficio dell’Istruzione della Città di Kumamoto
Telefono: 096-328-2704
5. ドイツ語
Aufgrund der erwarteten Auswirkungen des Taifuns Nr. 10 auf das Gebiet der Stadt Kumamoto werden die Grund- und Sekundarschulen der Stadt Kumamoto sowie die Aoba-Sonderschule vom Donnerstag, den 29. August bis Freitag, den 30. August geschlossen. Während der Schließungszeit werden auch öffentliche Nachschulbetreuungsprogramme ausgesetzt. Weitere Informationen bezüglich der Schulbesuche am Montag, den 2. September werden den Eltern von den jeweiligen Schulen mitgeteilt.
Bildungspolitische Abteilung des Bildungsamtes der Stadt Kumamoto
Telefon: 096-328-2704
6. ベトナム語
Do ảnh hưởng dự kiến của bão số 10 đối với khu vực thành phố Kumamoto, các trường tiểu học và trung học cơ sở của thành phố Kumamoto, cũng như Trường hỗ trợ đặc biệt Aoba, sẽ đóng cửa từ thứ Năm, ngày 29 tháng 8 đến thứ Sáu, ngày 30 tháng 8. Trong thời gian trường học đóng cửa, các chương trình chăm sóc sau giờ học công cộng cũng sẽ tạm ngừng. Thông tin chi tiết về việc đi học vào thứ Hai, ngày 2 tháng 9 sẽ được thông báo riêng cho phụ huynh bởi từng trường.
Văn phòng chính sách giáo dục, Hội đồng giáo dục thành phố Kumamoto
Điện thoại: 096-328-2704
7. ポルトガル語
Devido ao impacto esperado do Tufão Nº 10 na área da cidade de Kumamoto, as escolas primárias e secundárias da cidade de Kumamoto, bem como a Escola de Apoio Especial Aoba, estarão fechadas de quinta-feira, 29 de agosto, a sexta-feira, 30 de agosto. Durante o período de fechamento, os programas públicos de cuidados após a escola também serão suspensos. Mais detalhes sobre a frequência escolar na segunda-feira, 2 de setembro, serão comunicados aos pais por cada escola.
Divisão de Políticas Educacionais da Junta de Educação da Cidade de Kumamoto
Telefone: 096-328-2704
8. 中国語（普通话）
由于预计台风10号将影响熊本市地区，熊本市的各小学、中学以及青叶特殊支援学校将在8月29日（星期四）至8月30日（星期五）期间临时停课。在停课期间，公立的课后托管班也将关闭。关于9月2日（星期一）返校的具体安排，各学校将另行通知家长。
熊本市教育委员会 教育政策科
电话：096-328-2704
9. 台湾華語
由於預計颱風10號將影響熊本市地區，熊本市的各小學、中學以及青葉特殊支援學校將在8月29日（星期四）至8月30日（星期五）期間臨時停課。在停課期間，公立的課後托管班也將關閉。關於9月2日（星期一）返校的具體安排，各學校將另行通知家長。
熊本市教育委員會 教育政策科
電話：096-328-2704
10. 韓国語
제10호 태풍의 영향으로 인해, 8월 29일(목)부터 8월 30일(금)까지 구마모토시의 초등학교, 중학교, 아오바 특별 지원 학교가 임시 휴교됩니다. 휴교 기간 동안 공립 방과후 돌봄 프로그램도 중단됩니다. 9월 2일(월) 등교에 관한 사항은 각 학교에서 학부모님께 별도로 안내드릴 예정입니다.
구마모토시 교육위원회 사무국 교육정책과
전화: 096-328-2704
11. タイ語
เนื่องจากคาดว่าจะได้รับผลกระทบจากพายุไต้ฝุ่นหมายเลข 10 ในเขตเมืองคุมาโมโตะ โรงเรียนประถมและมัธยมของเมืองคุมาโมโตะ รวมถึงโรงเรียนสนับสนุนพิเศษอาโอบะ จะปิดทำการตั้งแต่วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 29 สิงหาคม ถึงวันศุกร์ที่ 30 สิงหาคม ในช่วงปิดโรงเรียนนี้ โครงการหลังเลิกเรียนสาธารณะจะถูกระงับด้วย ข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับการเข้าร่วมในวันจันทร์ที่ 2 กันยายน จะถูกสื่อสารถึงผู้ปกครองโดยแต่ละโรงเรียน
สำนักนโยบายการศึกษา คณะกรรมการการศึกษาของเมืองคุมาโมโตะ
โทรศัพท์: 096-328-2704
12. インドネシア語
Karena dampak yang diperkirakan dari Topan No. 10 di wilayah Kota Kumamoto, sekolah dasar dan menengah di Kota Kumamoto, serta Sekolah Dukungan Khusus Aoba, akan ditutup dari Kamis, 29 Agustus hingga Jumat, 30 Agustus. Selama penutupan sekolah, program perawatan setelah sekolah publik juga akan ditangguhkan. Detail lebih lanjut mengenai kehadiran sekolah pada Senin, 2 September akan diberitahukan kepada orang tua oleh masing-masing sekolah.
Divisi Kebijakan Pendidikan, Dinas Pendidikan Kota Kumamoto
Telepon: 096-328-2704
13. ネパール語
कुमामोटो सहर क्षेत्रमा तुफान नम्बर १० को सम्भावित प्रभावका कारण कुमामोटो सहरका प्राथमिक र माध्यमिक विद्यालयहरू, साथै आओबा विशेष समर्थन विद्यालय, बिहीबार, २९ अगस्तदेखि शुक्रवार, ३० अगस्तसम्म बन्द हुनेछ। विद्यालय बन्द हुँदा सार्वजनिक स्कुलपछि देखिने कार्यक्रमहरू पनि स्थगित गरिनेछ। सोमवार, २ सितंबरमा विद्यालयको हाजिरीबारे थप जानकारी अभिभावकहरूलाई प्रत्येक विद्यालयबाट अलग-अलग सम्पर्क गरिनेछ।
कुमामोटो सिटी बोर्ड अफ एजुकेशन, शिक्षा नीति विभाग
फोन: 096-328-2704
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８月２９日及び３０日の一斉臨時休校について
台風１０号による熊本市域への影響が見込まれるため、８月２９日始業式を予定していました熊本市立小学校、中学校、あおば支援学校を以下の期間を臨時休校します。
休校期間中は、公営の児童育成クラブも閉鎖します。
■休校期間：令和６年８月２９日（木）～８:月３０日（金）
■対象校：小学校、中学校、あおば支援学校
すでに連絡している学校もありますが、９月２日（月）の登校に関しては、保護者の皆様に各学校より別途連絡予定ですので、しばらくお待ちください。
熊本市教育委員会事務局 教育政策課
０９６-３２８-２７０４

Cassie here. I’m sure most of you have heard, but typhoon number two is approaching us. It’s moving slowly but they expect it to affect us from tomorrow night to Thursday night. Be careful.

Kirk here with an article I recommend highly. Here's a blurb to give you a sense of the piece:
--- start quote ---
Twenty years ago, Teruyuki Otaguro, a lifelong Kumamoto resident, saw something "surreal" at Lake Ezu, a popular spot for locals to fish and boat. As he walked around the lake, he saw hundreds of carp trying to squeeze through a narrow waterway, some swimming on top of each other, as they tried to get out of the lake. It was hot, and rain hadn't fallen in days.
"The image stuck with me for a long time," Otaguro told Nikkei Asia.
The main source of the lake, water gushing from underground, had been significantly declining since the 1970s. The fish appeared to be attempting to escape the evaporating lake into connecting rivers.
--- end quote ---
Water pressure: TSMC, others tackle groundwater worries in Kumamoto
Farmers look to partnerships with companies to protect vital resource
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Water-pressure-TSMC-others-tackle-groundwater-worries-in-Kumamoto

Here's an extended article for One Piece fans. -- Kirk
$230 Million Rich Eiichiro Oda Turned Haters into Fans With a Generous Donation to His Hometown After a Devastating Earthquake
Eiichiro Oda showed his strong bond to his roots as he donated to the reconstruction of the earthquake-devastated Kumamoto

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！