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When I posted about this earlier
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/photos/a.129499733790134.25925.123734781033296/843784712361629/?type=1
former participants raved about how much fun it was. I think the primary target for the Consortium of Universities in Kumamoto is international students. If you are not an international student, it might be a good idea to look at the following page of the Kumamoto JET group for information about another way to participate.
Posted by Kirk
https://www.facebook.com/kumamotokibiru/posts/1080164045345044
Looking for Participants! Otemoyan Dance in Hinokuni Matsuri in 2015
The Consortium of Universities in Kumamoto is entered in the Otemoyan Dance in Hinokuni Matsuri 2015. &…

The headline says it all!
http://kurokawa-onsen.com/free-bathing-at-kurokawa-onsen-on-june-26th/
FREE bathing at Kurokawa Onsen on June 26th!!!
Once a year,on JUNE 26th, you can bathe in the public outdoor baths at any of the 24 ryokan belonging to the Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association for FREE! If yo

On June 26, a concert in which players of traditional Japanese and Korea instruments perform together will be held at the Shimin Kaikan Sojo Daigaku Hall (across the street from the International Center, near the castle). The announcement says that it is free but that you need to have a ticket. Though the deadline has passed, it still may be possible to get a ticket. If you are interested, send an e-mail to the address listed.

This is not specifically related to Kumamoto but, of course, people in Kumamoto are not exempt. If you're feeling like this is deja vu all over again, you're right (different drug; similar issue):
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/794793347260766
Quotes:
"Julie Hamp, named Toyota’s first female managing officer in April, faces drug-smuggling charges after having oxycodone pills sent to her from the United States . . ."
"The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo warns its citizens to check before mailing or carrying medication to Japan, or face arrest and detention."
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/06/19/national/crime-legal/strict-drug-laws-put-expats-risk-execs-arrest-shows/
Strict drug laws put expats at risk, exec's arrest shows | The Japan Times
Thursday's arrest of a high-profile Toyota Motor Corp. executive highlights the danger globetrotters can face bringing psychotropic or other medications in

This announcement from the June issue of Kumamoto City's Shisei Dayori. The tours will be held between June 23 to 28. They are not designed specifically for foreigners so language may be a problem for participants who are not yet fluent in Japanese.
The image you see is taken from the following page:
http://www.kumamoto-icb.or.jp/imgkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=9&id=204&pg=1
http://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/topics/topics_detail.asp?PageID=5&ID=7859&pg=1&sort=0&LC=e
Kumamoto International Foundation
Let's stroll around the treasures of Kato Shrine〜about Kiyomasa Kato and Kumamoto Castle 〜.Ukiyoe woodblock prints (Nishiki-e) and paper cut-out Kato Shrine has kept will be opened to the public and the Kato Shrine priest is going to give a lecture.From June 23 (tue) to June 28(Sun) 10:00 am〜Noon (…

This information about emergency medical care is from the June issue of Kumamoto City's Shisei Dayori. It explains what to do in various situations. Bare in mind that articles from the Shisei Dayori such as this one are merely translations from the original Japanese text and that the content has not been adapted to fit the needs of the non-Japanese community. If you call the phone numbers that are listed, for example, the people who answer may not be prepared or able to respond in English. If you have any questions about the content, please direct them to the Kumamoto International Foundation.
http://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/topics/topics_detail.asp?PageID=5&ID=7845&pg=1&sort=0&LC=e
Kumamoto International Foundation
Symptoms and their emergency degree is low. →You think that you can see a doctor for yourself.First, contact your home doctor for consultation. If your home doctor can not respond to it, contact the following doctors.

Generally speaking, Japanese food is very healthy -- particularly traditional cuisine. However, as a county, Japan has been very slow to recognize the dangers of trans fats (トランス脂肪酸). In that context, I think this is good news.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Trends/Japanese-companies-getting-trans-fats-out-of-foods
Posted by Kirk
American influence: Japanese companies getting trans fats out of foods- Nikkei Asian Review
TOKYO -- With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration moving Tuesday to eliminate artificial trans fats from processed foods by June 2018, Japanese food

This announcement from the June issue of Kumamoto City's Shisei Dayori is about a special benefit (3,000 yen per child) for families with small children.
http://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/topics/topics_detail.asp?PageID=5&ID=7846&pg=1&sort=0&LC=e
Kumamoto International Foundation
□　Eligible people: Recipients of the child-support allowance for June 2015※ Not entitled to this benefits are those whose income in 2014 is over the income limitation stipulated in child-support allowance system (recipients of special benefits of across-the-board ¥5,000 a month per child).

This notice from the June issue of Kumamoto City's Shisei Dayori indicates that notices about children's allowances (that is, money from the city to support families raising children) will be sent out this month. If you have questions about this program, please direct them to the Kumamoto International Foundation:
http://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/outline/kif.asp?LC=e&PageID=7
http://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/topics/topics_detail.asp?PageID=5&ID=7851&pg=1&sort=0&LC=e
Kumamoto International Foundation
We will send the "present situation notice" to the child allowance beneficiaries in early June.Target people are those who have received it from May earlier in this city and continue to be beneficiaries beyond June. You check the contents, please submit by the end of June. Those who had a birth or…

Here's an announcement from the June issue of of Kumamoto City's Shisei Dayori about Japan's law against the illegal dumping of trash (legal penalty: 5 years or less in prison or a fine of 10 million yen or less):
http://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/topics/topics_detail.asp?PageID=5&ID=7850&pg=1&sort=0&LC=e

The author of this manga, Eiichiro Oda, is from Kumamoto:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiichiro_Oda
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150615_20.html
'One Piece' sets record as most printed manga - News - NHK WORLD - English
The Japanese manga comic series “One Piece" has set a world record as the most published comic.

SHISEI-DAYORI (City info) June issue
National health insurance premium is now determined for 2015, and the notice will be mailed accordingly.

http://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/topics/topics_detail.asp?PageID=5&ID=7848&pg=1&sort=0&LC=e
Kumamoto International Foundation
The national health insurance premium of Heisei 27 will be determined in July. The announcement of the premium will be mailed as “ Insurance premium payment ( change )announcement or insurance premium determination ( change ) announcement ”in the middle of June.※The premium will be calculated accord…

According to the article, an agreement was made late in 2013 to establish "a geothermal power plant in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture."
http://en.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/22534/mitsubishi-corporation-and-kyushu-electric-investigate-potential-for-geothermal-energy-in-kumamoto
Mitsubishi Corporation and Kyushu Electric Investigate Potential for Geothermal Energy in Kumamoto

In case you happen to have missed it, here's a post about a job opportunity in China:

Here's a TV report that was broadcast yesterday. Even if you don't understand all of the Japanese, the images should give you a better idea of what happened in various parts of the prefecture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urkcoltPvTY
熊本27万人に避難指示・勧告、土砂崩れも 九州大雨(15/06/11)
梅雨前線の活動が活発になっている影響で、九州では局地的に非常に激しい雨が降り続いています。特に熊本県では、10日夜からの雨量が200mmを超えていて、土砂崩れの情報も入ってきています。 ・・・記事の続き、その他のニュースはコチラから！ [テレ朝ｎｅｗｓ] http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/

Here's a scene from Uki-shi. The Japanese caption says that the waters of the Urugo-gawa are flowing over a bridge.
http://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20150611004924.html
九州豪雨、熊本・長崎・鹿児島１４万世帯以上に避難勧告：朝日新聞デジタル

Here's a picture of the Ezuko area that I student I know took near her home. She was kind enough to give me permission to share it. :)
Posted by Kirk

The situation in Kumamoto is a major news item throughout Japan today. It was the top story on NHK's 7PM news program.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/06/11/national/evacuation-advisories-issued-370000-kyushu-residents-amid-heavy-rain/
Evacuation advisories issued for 370,000 Kyushu residents amid heavy rain | The Japan Times
Heavy rain hit Kyushu on Thursday, with local authorities advising 370,000 residents in 14 municipalities to evacuate the area due to an increased risk of

A little after 1 PM, evacuations were also called for in the Mifune and Kikuchi areas.
http://www.anshin.pref.kumamoto.jp/osirase/index.cgi?type=1001

Here's a cool little page that shows you a little movie of how the rain clouds have been moving in the past hour. I think it may be very useful if you trying to figure out the best timing to go someplace without getting too wet.
http://kumamoto.wni.co.jp/radar/rnkg/info_frame.html