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The Kumamoto-Montana sister state relationship, which started in1982, is still strong.
"We can be inspired in our efforts by what we’ve seen in the past two decades. In 2000, with wildfires raging across much of Montana, Kumamoto’s citizen “Montana Club” raised almost $16,000 to help Montanans affected by the fires."
http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/kumamoto-after-the-earthquakes-time-to-help-montana-s-sister/article_4febf379-5a13-551f-baf9-6c4415ce30d9.html
Kumamoto after the earthquakes: Time to help Montana's sister state
"Earthquakes strike Kumamoto, Japan.” For most people in the world, a headline like that might not get a second notice—just another natural disaster in an endless series across the globe.

This article came out on the 16th. I didn't notice it at the time but, come to think of it, I was kind of busy then.
Two thoughts.
First, before the first earthquake hit, I wasn't under the impression that Kumamoto was particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, as this article indicates that the experts had already assessed it to be. I watch the news in Japanese and read a Japanese newspaper (though not the Kumanichi) so I'm wondering if I missed it or if this possibility just wasn't talked about that much in the media. I'd be particularly interested to hear what Japanese residents of Kumamoto think about this: Do you think we were adequately warned?
Second, I think this is an interesting explanation of why we are having so many aftershocks:
「Hideki Shimamura, a professor at Musashino Gakuin University, said the shallow depths of the epicenters of the quakes and diverging fault lines are the reasons for the frequent shaking. The epicenters for the magnitude 6.5 quake on Thursday was 11 kilometers below ground and 12 kilometers for the magnitude-7.3 temblor on Saturday. “The same thing happened during the 2004 Niigata Chuetsu earthquake in which the epicenter was also shallow,” said Shimamura. “If the epicenter is about 100 kilometers, there won’t be so many aftershocks.”」
By the way, the media is reporting the number of earthquakes and aftershocks over shindo 1 on the Japanese scale. Personally, I'm more interested in the number at 3 or higher where I live because that's what I tend to notice (1 and 2 are a bit too mild for me to notice unless I'm sitting very quietly). I just checked the database and found that the Central Ward (Chuo-ku) of Kumamoto where I live has had 50 level 3 or greater quakes since this all started on the 14th. (It was 49 when I first checked but then we had another level 3 quake as I was writing this post.) By contrast, my little corner of Kumamoto had had just two quakes of level 3 or higher intensity in the 5 year period between April 14, 2011 and April 13, 2016 (one each in 2011 and 2015).
-- Kirk
The searchable database I referred to is here:
http://www.data.jma.go.jp/svd/eqdb/data/shindo/index.php
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/16/national/big-temblors-no-surprise-to-experts/
Big temblors no surprise to experts | The Japan Times
Some seismologists said they were not surprised by the disaster, saying evidence suggested the writing was on the wall, although they didn’t know exactly when it would happen.

The image you see if a screenshot from a pdf map that can be downloaded at the following address:
http://www.osakagas.co.jp/disaster/kumamoto/pdf/shintyoku.pdf
The dark red areas should now have gas service. The light pink is close to coming back on line and each successive color means a longer wait.
The date of the pdf is April 25. I hope the map will have even more dark red after today's work is factored in.
-- Kirk
P.S. I found the links here:
https://www.saibugas.co.jp

「Inspectors examined 1,267 buildings in 163 facilities in the city and evaluated each structure using a traffic light color system with red meaning “danger,” yellow meaning “caution needed” and green meaning “investigation completed.”
The investigation found that 134 locations, including school buildings and martial arts gymnasiums, were labeled as “red,” while 354 buildings were categorized as “yellow” and 779 buildings as “green.”｣
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604260060.html
Quakes leave 134 school buildings in Kumamoto at risk of collapse：The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--The recent series of earthquakes has left 134 buildings in schools, kindergartens and othe

This is an English-language Twitter feed from Kumamoto University.
"This temp account provides useful, practical info and encouraging facts to the int'l community of Kumamoto University to survive Kumamoto earthquake."
https://twitter.com/KumamotoU_Int
-- Kirk
KumamotoU_Int (@KumamotoU_Int) | Twitter
The latest Tweets from KumamotoU_Int (@KumamotoU_Int). This temp account provides useful, practical info and encouraging facts to the int'l community of Kumamoto University to survive Kumamoto earthquake. Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto

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
To see more media coverage that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/media/keywords_posts/intersect/
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
To see more media coverage that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/media/keywords_posts/intersect/
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
To see more media coverage that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/media/keywords_posts/intersect/
To see more information about donating and donations that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/donate/keywords_posts/intersect/
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
To see more media coverage that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/media/keywords_posts/intersect/
To see more information about donating that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/donate/keywords_posts/intersect/
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
To see more information tagged "Gettinghelp" that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/media/keywords_posts/intersect/
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
To see more posts about "getting help" that have been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/gettinghelp/keywords_posts/intersect/
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
To see more media coverage that has been shared on Kumamoto International click here:
https://www.facebook.com/search/123734781033296/stories-by/str/media/keywords_posts/intersect/
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.