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Did you know that your Japanese spouse can divorce you without your consent? The article describes what happened in one such case in Kumamoto.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/04/national/social-issues/japanese-law-failing-prevent-fraudulent-divorces-advocacy-group/#.VtmJs8e5gpY
Japanese law failing to prevent fraudulent divorces: advocacy group | The Japan Times
Is it "too easy" to get a divorce in Japan? There is an increasing number of cases of foreign women claiming their former Japanese husbands divorced them b

A researcher in Kumamoto has found evidence that the same variety of cockroach many of us see much more often than we would like to, has been in Japan for thousands of years. The evidence comes from the pottery shown in the picture. I could have included an image of a cockroach but, well, who wants to see another roach! ;)
-- Kirk
https://earthsky.org/human-world/cockroach-egg-impressions-from-4300-years-ago
Cockroach egg impressions from 4,300 years ago | EarthSky.org
More information about early human settlements - and in this case the insects who lived alongside them - is being found in ancient bits of broken pottery.

I'm really impressed with the Jikei Hospital. This is the same hospital that established the so-called "baby hatch" system to save the lives of newborns and also offer counseling for pregnant women and young mothers who don't feel they can bring up their children.
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201603030003
Kumamoto hospital to feed underprivileged children - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--A hospital known for its kindness will offer free and nutritional meals for children from impoverished families and single-parent households.

A Kumamoto native announces his retirement.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/03/01/baseball/japanese-baseball/slugger-matsunaka-retire-sources/#.VtWf9ce5gpY
Slugger Matsunaka to retire: sources | The Japan Times
Triple Crown winner and two-time Pacific League MVP Nobuhiko Matsunaka will retire as a player, according to baseball sources. The 42-year-old slugger had

"Sankei News reports that famed architect and Osaka-native Tadao Ando is supervising the project, which features 55 Kumamon in Osaka Station as part of a push for Kumamoto tourism. The display is surreal."
http://kotaku.com/osaka-overrun-for-the-glory-of-satan-of-course-1761910288
Osaka Overrun for the Glory of Satan, Of Course!
You might know Kumamon as the official mascot character for Kumamoto Prefecture. Or you might know Kumamon as the bear from the “For the Glory of Satan” meme. Whichever, there are now a ton of them dotted throughout Osaka Station.

Please click on the link to see the entire announcement.
--- start quote ---
The Kumamoto YMCA is looking to hire English teachers for the upcoming year. Here's the information on their available positions:
For foreign teachers:
A foreign English teacher (or a foreigner who wants to be an English teacher) who is available on Saturdays from 8:30~17:30 for our Saturday Day Camp in one of our Kindergartens at the YMCA. He or she need not have an experience in teaching as long as he/she loves to be with kids. Training will be provided.
A part time position for an English teacher (non native English speaking foreigners are welcome).
--- end quote ---
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/kumamoto-jet/0tevLzirHH8/BFEJPUDmBAAJ

The article says that the victim was from Kumamoto. On today's news I heard that she is originally from Amakusa. Sorry to be the bearer of sad news. :(
-- Kirk
http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2016/02/29/fukuoka-cops-female-prep-school-student-stabbed-to-death/
Fukuoka cops: Female prep school student stabbed to death | The Tokyo Reporter
Hikaru Kitagawa, 19, was stabbed in the face and neck on a street in the Meinohama area

Beloved ‘green frog’ train makes final 'hop' in Kumamoto - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--Railway fans from across the nation packed onto a train platform here on Feb. 14 to bid farewell to the last “aogaeru” (green frog) train as it completed its final run.

Kumamoto cops: 2 women beat man with stones in home | The Tokyo Reporter
Takahiro Shimazaki suffered wounds to his hand and head after an early-morning attack by 2 female acquaintances

Misato leads the way in Kyushu footpath boom
MISATO, Kumamoto — Ambling along footpaths (see below), a type of walkway that originated in Britain to enjoy scenery and old townscapes in rural areas, is becoming more popular in the Kyushu region.

Joe Tomei here, two colleagues (Judy Yoneoka from Gakuen and Chie Saito, from the International University of Health and Welfare in Tochigi) and I have a Monkasho grant to help local businesses use online translation to make multilingual signage. We are running a workshop on 25 Feb from 2 to 3 and 3:10 to 4:30. We have a web sign up form at
http://goo.gl/forms/xKvOHE4sxf
Feel free to pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.
　　多言語表記作成ワークショップ申込
2016年2月25日(木)　2：00－4：30、熊本学園大学14号館4階1448教室で行うワークショップの申込みサイトです。

Joe Tomei here, the Kumamoto Gakuen University Green Philharmonic Orchestra will be having its 22nd annual concert on Sun 21 Feb. Doors open at 13:30, concert starts at 14:00. Entry is free. We will be playing
Beethoven Symphony #1
Sibelius Finlandia
Disney Medley
Hope to see you there!

This is not a Kumamoto-specific issue. On the other hand,I think it is relevant as quite a few readers of the page are probably either current, former, or prospective ALTs or are close to one. For more information about this topic go to
http://www.debito.org/?p=13814
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G95K0vjB3A
Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Japan - below the poverty line
This is an actual example on how impossible it is to live on the salary of a dispatched ALT working at a Kitakyushu City Board of Education public school. Th...

Joe Tomei here, as this is the 2nd Saturday of the month, the PIGATE teacher training group will be meeting at its usual place (the KGU campus in the English lounge in Building 1) from 1:30-4:30. This month, Clair Sezaki, who has a language school in Tamana and is working with the Tamana Board of Ed to create 10 min DVD lessons for all the Tamana elementary schools, will be joining us. Contact me (joe tomei [email protected]) if you have questions or you want to come and need directions.

Here's beginning of an Asahi article about this video:
--- start quote ---
Kumamoto Castle video goes viral with 400,000 views
February 01, 2016
By CHIE KOHARA/ STAFF WRITER
KUMAMOTO--A YouTube video to promote Kumamoto Castle starring popular dance duo Egu-Splosion has become an online hit, garnering more than 400,000 views since its release in late December.
--- end quote ---
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/style/AJ201602010001
It would be nice if the video had English subtitle. As the article indicate, the song is filled with lots of interesting trivia about the castle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR7XHJcSAbA
熊本城のうた ‐ エグスプロージョン
熊本城をテーマにした、その名も「熊本城のうた」！ エグスプロージョンが、熊本県のゆるキャラ・くまモンと、熊本城おもてなし武将隊の加藤清正・細川忠興とコラボしました。 熊本城をバックに最高のロケーションで撮影。エグスプロージョンに負けないほどキレッキレに踊るくまモンや、撮影前の打ち合わせでおばらよしおが一目惚れして...

"Beginning last year, Yamato signed agreements with Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Ehime and Aomori prefectures to help local government efforts to accelerate exports of local farm and marine products and expand their sales network."
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/01/13/business/chilled-parcel-deliveries-boosting-japans-fresh-food-exports/
Chilled parcel deliveries boosting Japan's fresh food exports | The Japan Times
Japanese exports of farm and marine products are growing on an unprecedented scale, thanks in part to the expanded use of refrigerated delivery services, w

Ice skating, anyone? The English article about Aqua Dome Kumamoto is from the Kumamoto JET website. The photo is of another facility, ASPA. For information about that, go to
http://30min.jp/guide/1083/entry/20215
or
http://www.kato-shokai.net/asupa/
(Sorry, neither of these pages is in English.)
http://kumamotojet.com/shin/index.php/2015/12/21/ice-skating-at-aqua-dome-kumamoto/
Ice Skating at Aqua Dome Kumamoto Kumamoto JET
Ice Skating at Aqua Dome Kumamoto December 21, 2015 Events The ice skating rink at Aqua Dome Kumamoto (Kumamoto City) is now open for the winter season! The ice skating rink will be in operation until March 31. Aqua Dome Kumamoto is open from 10AM to 9PM (last check-in is at 8PM), but is closed ever…

Yesterday, I posted an article by Rebeccas Nakagami about onsen in the Hitoyoshi area. The article contains a link to this article, also by Rebecca, about other attractions in the Hitoyoshi area.
-- Kirk
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/fun_spots/AJ201510170013
FROM AROUND JAPAN/ Hitoyoshi: The perfect picnic on the grounds of a castle - AJW by The Asahi...
It is a good day for a picnic, and the cooler is packed with enough ice to compensate for the heat of a summer afternoon.

The opportunity described on the Kumamoto JET page "will be mainly oriented towards study abroad students and ALTs/CIRs" but I think it should be open to all interested persons.
http://kumamotojet.com/shin/index.php/2016/01/07/noh-workshop-in-kumamoto-city-january-31/
By the way, the image I've attached to this post is from the following page:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2091.html
-- Kirk
Noh Workshop in Kumamoto City – January 31 Kumamoto JET
Noh Workshop in Kumamoto City – January 31 January 7, 2016 Events The Kumamoto UNESCO group will be holding a Noh workshop in Kumamoto City later this month. It will be mainly oriented towards study abroad students and ALTs/CIRs so this is a great opportunity to learn about the traditional Japanese…

Fans of onsen and/or the Hitoyoshi area will want to have a look at this article. I've had the pleasure of meeting the author, Rebecca Nakagami, during a visit to the Hitoyoshi area. Nicely written article, Rebecca!
-- Kirk
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/fun_spots/AJ201601080060
FROM AROUND JAPAN/ Hitoyoshi: Dipping into onsen culture - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
You are completely naked. As is everyone else. Move slowly, copy the actions of those around you and keep your eyes from wandering.