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A new version of YOKA, an English magazine about Kumamoto, has come out.
http://kumamotojet.com/shin/index.php/2016/06/06/spring-2016-yoka/
Spring 2016 YOKA Kumamoto JET
Spring 2016 YOKA June 6, 2016 YOKA The Spring 2016 YOKA is out! This issue of the YOKA features: A Thank You to Civil Servants by Liam Nolan 5 Reasons to Love Kumamoto by Denise Wiley Mood Maker by Brendan Amy Explore Kumamoto’s Backyard by Kuma-Gun ALTs Tampopo by Jazmin Guerrero Road Trip to Oita ...

"She described the 'horrific' state of the city following the major earthquakes which happened within two days of each other."
It's certainly true that the worst damage was horrific. On the other hand, when the state of the entire city is describe as "horrific" I think that makes it difficult to imagine how functional the city as a whole is right now.
-- Kirk
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/14537951.___Kumamoto_looks_horrific_after_the_earthquakes__I_had_to_help_people_leave_their_homes___/
‘Kumamoto looks horrific after the earthquakes, I had to help people leave their homes’
A FERNDOWN woman helped with the relief effort after two earthquakes struck a Japanese city in April this year.

Media show Kumamoto was woefully ill-prepared for disabled evacuees | The Japan Times
It was heartening to see newspapers focusing on the difficulties disabled people face when disaster strikes, but far less heartening to hear what they had to say about the facts on the ground in Kumamoto.

A very handy app that was created with JETs in mind but that has tons of valuable information in English about things from traffic signs, embassy and consulate numbers, and size and other conversion charts, to travel information, handy phrases for an emergency, and how to pay bills.
There are some resources non-JETs won't find useful, but it's free for anyone to use and had a lot of information in one little app, so those who are newer to Japan or Japanese may want to jump through the link and give it a look!
AJET iConnect App
AJET iConnect This app was made to make your life in Japan easier and less stressful, whether you’re a JET Programme participant or just an English-speaking foreign national living in Japan! You’ll…

Good news for art lovers - while many museums and other tourists attractions have (as of yet) been unable to reopen, there are plenty of galleries and art collections open to the public.
This week we went up to see if the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art was open or not and are pleased to report that it is! This is a great facility with much to see, and with Ninomaru (the field next to the main castle entrance) open and lush at this time of year it makes for a great picnic area or somewhere for the kids to have a kick-around.
If you're looking for something to do in central Kumamoto, art galleries are a top choice at the moment.
Thanks,
- Celia
http://promotekyushuproject.blogspot.jp/2016/06/kumamoto-prefectural-museum-of-art.html
Promote Kyushu Project: Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art

Researchers point out in this Kumanichi article that the creation of Kumamoto Castle in its current form was no easy task, instead being the result of a series of disasters both natural and man-made that extend back to just shortly after the castle's birth. In particular, damage by earthquakes, heavy rain and typhoons in the early Edo era shaped the walls, moats, and turrets as we now know them.
A list of the more catastrophic natural events is provided at the link (it omits those man-made such as damage inflicted during the Seinan War); events the article singles out are an earthquake and subsequent explosion of a powder magazine in 1625 which burned down the keep, an earthquake occurring during heavy rain that destroyed 36 meters of wall in the Honmaru area in 1633, and an earthquake in 1889 that damaged walls at 29 locations over an area of 2,700 square meters that cost (okay - quick calculation) - a LOT of money to repair. The article notes that historical rulers of the castle learned to anticipate damage and put aside funds to cover maintenance and provide for periodic disasters.
The article concludes by noting that the castle has suffered in the recent quakes damage to 13 buildings of cultural importance and to 53 locations along its walls, but that, as one researcher put it, "Kumamoto Castle is after all but a compendium of repeated disaster and repair." - William
http://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20160606002.xhtml

Kumamoto International hosted two members from the U.S. military, Sheyenne Sullivan and Mike Hufler, who had driven from Camp Zama in Kanagawa to Kumamoto to deliver relief supplies collected by the Camp Zama Girl Scouts in a drive they had organize called Operation Backpack. (Their dedicated Website is available at the link: http://www.zamagirlscouts.org/operation-backpack.html ). Members of a local Girl Scout troop were on hand to meet and accompany them to Minami Aso, the location of their recipient, an elderly care home also active in local service. Mr. Hufler had this to say about his experience:
"Following the devastation resulting from the earthquake that occurred in the Kumamoto region, Sheyenne Sullivan and Mike Hufler decided to enact "Operation Backpack". This small gesture of humanitarian aid involved the Camp Zama community working with the local Zama Girl Scouts. Sullivan, the troop leader, led the collection campaign and the Girl Scouts pulled together with the small Army Community here in collecting 79 backpacks, and several boxes of humanitarian aid comprised mostly of hygiene and safety type items. When the military airlift fell thru, Sullivan and Hufler were approved to rent a van and personally deliver these items to the people of Kumamoto with the assistance of Bill, Renee, Jacky Hearne, as well as local Girl Scouts leaders of Kumamoto. We wanted to ensure these items were delivered prior to the rain season, as the potential for further disasters are compounded during this time. We aimed to achieve two main goals throughout this operation- Show solidarity and goodwill to the people of Kumamoto through this small contribution; Educate junior Girl Scouts on the importance of a community pulling together, and show that one person can make a difference through volunteer efforts."
Their efforts were both truly helpful and deeply appreciated. To the Girl Scouts in Camp Zama and all others who had a hand in this: ありがとうございます。

Abe visits quake-hit Kumamoto town
MASHIKI, Kumamoto (Jiji Press) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday visited the town of Mashiki, one of the areas hit hardest by the recent earthquakes in the Kyushu region.

Today we're having our roof repaired. Like many homes in Kumamoto, the kawara (roof tiles) were damaged by the quake. I added the "cooling-off period" image to this post because Japan's cooling-off consumer protection wound up helping us save a lot of money on this project. Another company had come by our house, noticed that our blue sheets (blue tarping to protect the roof from water damage until repairs can be made) were not applied properly -- something we were well aware of but unable to fix on our own. Since we had been unable to find a local contractor to do the job for us, when they offered to apply the tarping for free if we would sign the contract that day, we succumbed. They had done work for another neighbor whom we were able to talk to (and who seemed fairly satisfied) and so, despite misgivings about their pressure tactics and what seemed like a high price, we placed our seal on the contract. Later, however, I became convinced that the price we had agreed to was not just a little high but way too high. So, I called the prefecture's consumer office
http://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/hpkiji/pub/List.aspx?c_id=3&class_set_id=1&class_id=1070
and got instructions on how to take advantage of Japan's 8-day cooing off period. The cooling-off period allows consumers to cancel contracts without penalty. The cancellation process requires a written document that is sent to the company by registered mail. If you don't think your Japanese is up to that, you may want to get some help from a native speaker. You should know, however, that you have a right to cancel a contract you have made within eight days.
By the way, the people who are working on my roof right now are doing the job at half the price that the other company demanded. They are from Ibaragi and did a lot of repair work after the 2011 earthquakes in northern Japan:
http://www.round-house37.com

Prime Minister Abe came to Kumamoto for the third time recently. Here's a YouTube video in Japanese about the visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJhHI_oZD-E
The following English article mentions the visit in the context of upcoming elections:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/abe-wont-say-if-hell-resign-if-election-results-fall-short-of-target
-- Kirk

Here's a follow up to William's post about the start of the rainy season:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/04/national/rainy-season-declared-in-central-western-japan-kyushu/#.V1LjeVdq0pY
-- Kirk
Rainy season declared in central, western Japan, Kyushu | The Japan Times
The rainy season has started in central and western Japan as well as the southwestern main island of Kyushu, the weather agency said Saturday, warning of l

The Japan Meteorological Agency has announced the beginning of the rainy season around southern Japan. You'll likely hear bandied about on the news the term "baiyuzensen" (梅雨前線, "seasonal rain front") quite a bit until it finally meanders north and then peters out. The point about rainy season is that it is most always raining heavily somewhere, but the baiyuzensen - a result of the jet stream being whipped around the Himalayas and then directed at us - can move north or south quite rapidly, so it is difficult to predict - and if stuck over one location for a prolonged period, can result in serious flooding as well as landslides in earthquake-damaged areas.
On a brighter note, baiyu (or tsuyu, as it is also pronounced) allows another excuse to link to one of my favorite songs: Blue Bayou - or blue baiyu? - by Linda Ronstadt. Here's hoping this will be of some assistance to help you enjoy the rain. - William
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp9G0zkorio

The Kumamoto Zoo remains closed since the earthquake with no signs of opening any time soon. With such high running costs (as well as the costs of repairs) it will no doubt be difficult for the zoo to get back on its feet again.
- Celia
http://promotekyushuproject.blogspot.jp/2016/06/kumamoto-zoo.html

Many tourist attractions are still out of action in Kumamoto City, but there are plenty of nearby options for people wanting to get away for the weekend and see something new. Nagaski is a few hours away by train has so much more to offer than just the famous Atomic Bomb museums that the city is famous for.
We stumbled upon this place by accident and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. So if you want to get away and see something new, take a look at the Promote Kyushu Project blog to get ideas about nearby places with unique attractions.
- Celia
http://promotekyushuproject.blogspot.jp/2016/06/26-martyrs-museum-in-nagasaki.html

William here with a roundup of Kumanichi stories.
Repairs on the bridge which connects Sangyo Douro and Kumamoto Station, closed since the quake, have begun, and are expected to be complete by mid-July. http://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20160602011.xhtml
Honda has announced that it will resume production of two-wheeled vehicles at its facility in Ozu in mid-June. http://this.kiji.is/111280822588981252?c=92619697908483575
Repairs to Tsujun Bridge in Yabe are expected to cost up to 134 million yen. Damage to connections in the stone channel which carries water has been severe, causing many leaks and the cessation of the water release for which the bridge is famous. The majority of repair funds will be provided by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. http://this.kiji.is/111280813226524679?c=92619697908483575
白川橋の応急復旧工事に着手　熊本市－熊本のニュース│ くまにちコム
熊本日日新聞社が取材した熊本のニュース。新聞紙面に掲載前の記事もお伝えします。

The loss of a family member is terrible under any circumstance. It mush be particularly hard for the family of this student because they disappearance prevents them from conducting the rituals and ceremonies that would normally help them come to terms with what has happened. I hope the search efforts can help them find closure.
-- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201606020062.html
Search resumes for Kumamoto student missing since the quakes：The Asahi Shimbun
MINAMI-ASO, Kumamoto Prefecture--Dozens of police and firefighters resumed search efforts June 1 for

The lights illuminating Kumamoto Castle have been restored for the first time since the 4/16 quake; the castle will be illuminated from dusk to 11:00 PM nightly from now as usual. Kumamoto Mayor Ohnishi said, "Through this difficult period, many have asked for the lights to be restored to brighten our hearts. I hope they illuminate our path towards revitalization."
http://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20160602001.xhtml
熊本城に復興のともしび　ライトアップ再開－熊本のニュース│ くまにちコム
熊本日日新聞社が取材した熊本のニュース。新聞紙面に掲載前の記事もお伝えします。

Like bagels? Business has been slow at OUT of STEP since the earthquake and they would love your custom. Delicious handmade bagels and other baked goods like cakes, muffins and cookies. Located just out of the centre of town, it's easily accessible on the tram. #supportlocal Details of this store (and other great cafes and restaurants) on the Promote Kyushu Project blog.
http://promotekyushuproject.blogspot.jp/2016/06/out-of-step-kumamoto-bagel-shop.html
Thanks,
- Celia
Promote Kyushu Project: OUT of STEP - Kumamoto Bagel Shop

Charmaine here...the latest from Kurokawa Onsen and a special campaign: http://kurokawa-onsen.com/30-years-of-nyuto-tegata-onsen-passes-in-kurokawa-onsen-/
30 years of `Nyuto tegata` Onsen passes in Kurokawa Onsen!
To celebrate 30 years of their `nyuto tegata` onsen-hopping passes,Kurokawa Onsen have brought out a special commemorative edition! The cost is the usual 1

Today, I spoke with Ms. Mayumi Murata, Chairman of the Organization of Test of English for Early Childhood Educators (Hoikueiken Kyoukai) about this. She told me that she and her organization are interested in helping foreigners find work in the Kanto and Kansai areas. It is clear that they are interested in finding people who would like to work with preschool children but I'm not sure if they can help with other kinds of job searches. If you would like to know more about their services, either contact them via phone or e-mail or make arrangements to talk with them in person at the International Center in downtown Kumamoto.
-- Kirk
------ message from the organization ------
Hoikueiken Supports Gaikokujin in Kumamoto
Kumamoto City and Hoikueiken collaborate and setup Kumamoto Career Gaikokujin Support Desk at Kumamoto City International Center (KCIC). The Support Desk assists and helps foreigners find employment in the Kanto and Kansai area by utilizing the Hoikueiken's network. If you know any of your friends who are facing challenges finding a job please contact us.
Here's the link for more information
http://www.hoikueiken.com
Period : Wednesday, May 25th, 2016 - Sunday, June 12th, 2016 10:00-16:00
Location: Kumamoto City International Center (KCIC) 2F
Special Dates: Saturday, June 4th ・Sunday, June 5th ・Sunday, June 12th* (Pre-registration required)
*HR from school(s) in the Kanto will be at the desk for any inquiries and interviews.
Contact: Organization of Test of English for Early Childhood Educators (Hoikueiken Kyoukai)
Email: [email protected] (English or Japanese)
Tel: 0800-100-7419 (Free Toll)