Posts
Here's another excellent collection of the latest information about the following topics (and others) from the Kumamoto JET site:
Volunteering
Donations
Transportation
Supermarkets
http://kumamotojet.com/shin/index.php/2016/04/26/april-26-updates/
April 26 Updates Kumamoto JET
April 26 Updates April 26, 2016 News Here is a summary of some the latest earthquake related news/updates. If there is any information you need specifically, please contact the PAs and we will try and get it out to you. Volunteering The Kumamoto City Volunteer Center is registering volunteers to hel…
Joe Tomei here, we've had a few requests for an address and a phone number for this page, which is a bit difficult because we don't really have a 'location' or a dedicated phone number. If you are interested in getting in touch f2f, send us a message please!
Here's an update on the restoration of service by Saibu Gas. Yesterday, restoration was 34.2% complete so, with 48.3% completion so today, it's clear that significant progress is being made. As the English expression goes, "we're cooking with gas now." :)
Yesterday's post can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/photos/a.129499733790134.25925.123734781033296/1025217417551690/
-- Kirk
If any of you would like to view more photos of the quake, this page offers 184, many with English captions. The article is in Japanese but if you scroll down, you should be able to find the photos.
-- Kirk
http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2016/04/20/kumamoto-volunteer_n_9744784.html
どのように準備を整え、現地に向かったら良いだろうか？
The Ospreys have been very controversial, particularly in Okinawa, because of noise and safety concerns. Their use in Kumamoto is probably improving their public image.
-- Kirk
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World/Photos/US-Marines-assist-with-Kumamoto-earthquake-recovery-efforts-in-Japan/10094/
U.S. Marines assist with Kumamoto earthquake recovery efforts in Japan - Photos
Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) are pictured loading and unloading aid supplies from USMC MV-22 Ospreys in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture, during relief efforts in the area which was struck by an earthquake on April 16, 2016.
The Good Smile Company is a Tokyo based company that "focuses on the planning, production and manufacturing of figures, toys and accessories." When Hatsune Miku fans buy this figurine, the proceeds will be donated to Kumamoto Prefecture.
-- Kirk
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-04-25/good-smile-company-lends-support-to-kumamoto-with-figure-sales/.101461
Good Smile Company Lends Support to Kumamoto With Figure Sales
Good Smile Company is lending its support to the earthquake affected Kumamoto Prefecture by donating the proceeds from two figure sales to aid relief...
Today I saw some video on TV of the damage to Kumamoto Castle that was recorded with a drone. I looked for the same video on the web and this is the closest I came. If you click on the first image, you should be able to watch a high quality video that clearly shows some of the damage to the castle. Uto Yagura, a part of the castle that has survived for 400 years, even when the main castle was burned to the ground, held up remarkably well (a testament to the craftsmanship and engineering at the time) but the hallway leading to it has been flattened.
The other photo you see shows what is left of a turret is called Iidamaru Gokai Yagura. The television program I saw today showed close ups of the damage to this turret but as I couldn't find the same drone video, I chose this photo from web. Amazingly, the corner stones did not fall and are continuing to support the structure, even though many stones on both sides have fallen away.
-- Kirk
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/stream/?id=3071823
One of many impacts on the young people of Kumamoto is likely to be the loss of much of the summer holiday. Just today, I approved the cancelation of our university's summer study abroad program, in part because of the need to hold classes at that time.
-- Kirk
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/25/national/nearly-two-thirds-of-kumamoto-schools-remain-closed-after-quakes/
Tag: Media
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Nearly two-thirds of Kumamoto schools remain closed after quakes | The Japan Times
Nearly two-thirds of educational facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture remained closed Monday due to physical damage or because they are being used as evacuati
I saw something about this on Japanese television. I think it's grea that people who have been spending their nights in cars will be able stretch out and sleep completely horizontally. The kids I saw on TV seemed really happy when they first climbed in the tents.
-- Kirk
Tag: Media
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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/25/national/alpinist-ken-noguchi-leads-volunteers-set-tents-kumamoto-quake-evacuees/
Alpinist Ken Noguchi leads volunteers to set up tents for Kumamoto quake evacuees | The Japan Times
A group of volunteers including alpinist Ken Noguchi have opened a tent village in the Kumamoto Prefecture town of Mashiki to provide temporary shelter for
$300,000 Singapore dollars is almost 25 million yen (2,500万円). Thank you, people of Singapore!!
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mercy-relief-raises-s-300/2729158.html
Tags: Media, donations
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Mercy Relief raises S$300,000 for Kumamoto quake victims
"Being able to raise S$300,000 in such a short time reflects the generosity and kindness people in Singapore have to give when other countries experience a crisis," says the humanitarian non-governmental organisation.
This article is about a student from Tokai University who, after narrowing escaping death, has gone on to become very active in the effort to collect donations.
Tags: Media, Donating
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http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604240047.html
Kumamoto youth gains new purpose after surviving quake：The Asahi Shimbun
When the main magnitude-7.3 quake struck Kumamoto Prefecture early on April 16, college student Tomo
A short time ago, I posted about the "Kumamoto Oita Support Map Project." Since then I have found their Facebook page and a Facebook note that indexes the various maps and information they have put together:
https://goo.gl/jsoIZS
(Japanese original is here: https://goo.gl/JLbVCn)
If you click on the link, you will be taken to a Google machine translation of their index. As usual, machine translation is not perfect -- instead of properly translating スーパー as "supermarket," for example, it is merely rendered "super." If you can overlook such flaws, however, I think you'll be able to make sense of the translation, even if you don't understand Japanese. If you do understand Japanese, Google translate makes it easy for you to refer to the original Japanese to check the meaning.
When you want to see a particular map you need to do one of two things. Either click the "Original" button on the upper-right-hand corner of the screen and then click on the desired link or copy the text of the shortened link (starting with "Https://Goo. . . ." ) and paste it into the address bar of your browser. If you try to click on a link inside the translated document, I think you will get an error.
By the way, the Facebook address of the group running this project is
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1314441215239619/
-- Kirk
Tag: Gettinghelp
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Google Translate
On Saturday, I saw a TV news program (TBS, 報道特集) that introduced a project, called the Kumamoto Oita Support Map Project (熊本大分支援マッププロジェクト), that university students in Tokyo had set up to organize information for earthquake victims in Kumamoto. Clicking on the image shown below will take you to a map showing the locations of various bathing facilities, many of which are open 24 hours a day to serve those unable to bathe because of the earthquakes. The information is only available in Japanese and may be out of date in some cases. Nonetheless, this is probably the best way to figure out where you can go to get a bath.
By the way, if you would like to get a machine translation the Japanese text about a particular bathing spot, you can copy the Japanese and paste it into Google Translate:
https://translate.google.com/
Here's a sample translation:
"松浦重機 熊本営業所(シャワー室無料開放)
説明
土日祝除く当分の間 / 8:00～17:00/ ※簡易シャワー室のため、タオル等はご持参ください
Matsuura heavy equipment Kumamoto office (shower room free open)
Description
For the time being, except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays / 8: 00 ~ 17: 00 / ※ for simple shower room, towels, etc. Please bring your own"
Not perfect, but intelligible. :)
-- Kirk
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zZtoeNbvRJ4Y.kwAa5nJBo8mI
Tag: Gettinghelp
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熊本・大分県内 営業中の銭湯・温泉
最終更新日時 4/21 23:05 PUBLIC BATHS, HOT SPRINGS in service ※激しい余震が続いています。 営業情報については、短縮・休業等、変更がある場合もございます。 ソースは以下 http://kuma1010.com/2160/ http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160416/ddl/k43/040/332000cd http://www.kkt.jp/emergency/index.html#life 作成代表者: 塚田耀太 Youth action for Kumamoto創設者 (https://www.facebook.…
I saw quite a few of these "unsafe" signs when I visited Mashiki on Monday of last week.
-- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604250016.html
More than 4,000 houses judged in ‘unsafe’ state in Kumamoto：The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--More than 4,000 of the houses damaged in the series of earthquakes were assessed as
This is a very well done photo essay on the disaster. The cover image is one I had not seen before. I'm not sure where it was taken. The photographer is cited, but I don't see an indication of the location.
-- KIrk
Tag: Media
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2016-04-17/japan-s-earthquakes-handling-the-aftermath
Japan's Twin Earthquakes: the Aftermath
Two major earthquakes hit southern Japan in less than two days, killing dozens and injuring many more. Residents and rescue workers must now deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
A related issue, not mentioned in this article, is Abe's belated designation of the Kumamoto earthquakes as "a disaster with extreme severity" (激甚災害指定 -- gekijin saigai shitei). Gov. Kabashima called for the designation early on:
http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/115979.php
However, the designation was not made until the this morning (April 25):
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20160425-OYT1T50031.html
-- Kirk
Tag: Media, gettinghelp
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-24/abe-says-japan-will-compile-extra-budget-for-kumamoto-earthquake
Abe Says Japan Will Compile Extra Budget for Kumamoto Earthquake
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday he will create an extra budget to address the economic damage caused by deadly earthquakes in Kumamoto earlier this month.
"KYOTO--A group of 'maiko' (apprentice geisha), including some from disaster-hit Kumamoto Prefecture, reached out to tourists visiting the ancient capital and asked for donations to help victims of last week's earthquake."
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604240038.html
Tag: Donating
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Apprentice geisha from Kumamoto help quake victims：The Asahi Shimbun
Saibu Gas is working to restore service. According to their latest update (11:00 AM today), service to approximately 100,000 homes was stopped as a result of the quake and 34% have had their service restored.
Last week a man from the gas company came to our home and told me that safety checks and then turning the gas on would be done one home at a time in order to insure safety. He told me that he was from Kagoshima and had come to Kumamoto to help with the restoration effort.
Even if you don't read Japanese, I think you should be able to follow the increase in the percentage of homes that have been restored at the following page:
http://www.saibugas.co.jp/disaster/index.htm
-- Kirk
Tag: Infrastructure
To see more information about infrastructure restoration that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
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