I recently learned about the "Kumamoto Guru" site. I particularly like this post about Reigando. -- Kirk
Posts
Kirk here. According to this article, the number of foreign tourists coming to Kumamoto returned to the pre-COVID-19 (that is, the 2019) level last year. The numbers on the left are in tens of thousands. So, there were just over 350,000 foreign tourists last year.
There's so much TSMC-related news that I (Kirk) find it rather confusing at times. I'm not sure if this is new or a reiteration of what I've already posted but there may be a third (!) TSMC plant in the works (but perhaps not in Kumamoto -- who knows): "Analysts project that the production at TSMC's Kumamoto Fab 2 plant will begin in 2027, and theoretically, the production for Fab 3 will commence in 2029. Considering seismic concerns in Japan, TSMC may choose locations outside Kumamoto for the Fab 3 plant. "
Kirk here with a review of articles published in the Mainichi Newspaper last year that relate to the question "Is Japan ready to accept foreigners as part of its society?" Two of the articles listed are about Kumamoto:
Kirk here. Apologies if you're not interested in lots of TSMC new. I'm getting a lot about TSMC in my Google news alert so I'm trying to share what I hope at least some people will be interested in.
Kirk here, wishing everyone a happy new year! 2024 will mark the start of TSMC production in Kumamoto. (Not that this is the most important thing to say about 2024 -- it's just that I happen to be introducing an article on the topic.)
Kirk here with some useless but mildly interesting (?) information that came to me in a news feed: "Eiichiro Oda, the mastermind behind the globally acclaimed manga series 'One Piece,' has amassed a substantial net worth of $220 million."
Sean here-
Kirk here with news about an interesting (in my view, at least) kind of kuyo (thanksgiving) ceremony. The word kuyo (供養) normally refers to a ceremony in which worshipers pray for the soul of a departed person. The practice of performing kuyo ceremonies for miscarriages and abortions has found its way into American culture where funerals (at least as far as I know) are usually reserved for those who have been born live. Here's an NPR piece about mizuko kuyo being adopted in the U.S.:
Kirk here with something about the schooling of the children of TSMC employees who relocate here. I think a lot of this is review but, nonetheless, here it is:
Kumustaka Press Conference - Higo Bank Protest Letter Submission
Kirk here. I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season.
Santa at Cocosa
Joe Tomei here with pho 4 breakfast!
Joe Tomei here with a cruciferous vegetable request. I am trying to find some Brussels sprouts, ideally fresh, but frozen would work. I have seen them at 八百健 (map link here https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJeB2mFcDutNzed16 )
Atsuko with deals and interesting information.
Sean here,
Sean here,
Kirk here, trying to get back to the issue of Higo Bank demanding that many foreign residents appear at one of their banks with documents in hand to identify themselves.
UK trip pop-up
