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Kirk here. It's official: a second TSMC plant will be built in Kumamoto.
TSMC to build second Japan chip factory, raising investment to $20 bln
Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC said on Tuesday it will build a second Japanese plant to begin operation by the end of 2027, bringing total investment in its Japan venture to more than $20 billion with the support of the Tokyo government.

William Zoos excite in me mixed emotions. On one hand, when done well, they provide a wonderful discovery experience, particularly for children (drive-through parks, such as https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/#/sort=alpha/ , at least provide a semblance of the creature's natural habitat); when done poorly, the are sense-killing life sentences for sentient creatures (see Kumamoto Zoo - or, actually, don't).
I'd heard of Aso's "Cuddly Dominion" but hadn't given it much thought until I came across this article: https://travel.gaijinpot.com/aso-cuddly-dominion/ The word "cuddly" should have been a tip-off: the last thing even a domestic animal wants to do is be "cuddled" all day by strangers, which apparently is what this park encourages (and fortunately, they are mostly domestic). The ultimate curse I devised when my kids were young was "May you be reborn as a kindergarten hamster."
I'd like to know if any of our readers have been there and, if so, what your impressions are.

William Every city in Japan has its signature department store: Fukuoka = Daimaru; Osaka = Hankyu; Kyoto =Takashimaya; Tokyo = Mitsukoshi (this is all according to my daughter, whom you do not want to argue with). And, of course, Kumamoto = Tsuruya.
Established in 1951 as a joint investment by Chiebuya Kimono Store and Furusho Honten, it opened its present location in 1952 with three floors above ground and one below, and has expanded since. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%B6%B4%E5%B1%8B%E7%99%BE%E8%B2%A8%E5%BA%97
A thing about Tsuruya is their paper bags. It is de rigueur when giving a gift in Kumamoto to enclose it in a Tsuruya paper shopping bag, no matter where the gift was purchased. A problem is that customers would accrue as many bags as possible on each visit, costing the company money and creating potential waste (though the bags tend to be reused multiple times).
In an attempt to reign in cost and waste, the company has announced that it will now be charging for paper shopping bags under the attached schedule. They're still cheap and probably worth it, particularly if you're giving a gift. https://www.tsuruya-dept.co.jp/information/info/bag.html

Kirk here with some news about local and national politics. The local politician at the heart of this story is not KAMIYA Sohei, the leader of the far-right SANSEITO party that you see pictured. Rather it's about TSUKUSHI Rumiko, who was elected to serve in the City Assembly and who ran as a SANSEITO candidate.
The news is that Ms. TSUKUSHI has decided to leave the party because the leadership runs it as a dictatorship, not allowing members to "participate" in decision making, even though the very name of the party gives the impression that belief in participatory democracy is a core value.
My reaction is that this is one of those rare instances when reading about Japanese news in English actually gives one better information than reading in Japanese. The problem with the Japanese is that the local media has focused on the nice ladies (TSUKUSHI in the City Assembly and TAKAI Chitose in the Prefectural Assembly) who stood as candidates and subsequently got elected but neglected to say much about this new party -- especially why it might be the sort of party to cause voters to think twice.
In English, if you started with Wikipedia (not necessarily a paragon of journalistic quality but a pretty darn good start in this case) you get this:
--- start quote ---
The party promotes COVID-19 misinformation and anti-vaccine propaganda, including the party's president, Manabu Matsuda, who has called COVID vaccines a "murder weapon". Sanseitō gained international media attention during the 2022 House of Councillors election due to the party's Secretary General, Sohei Kamiya's antisemitic rhetoric during public appearances and campaign rallies. Observers noted that Sanseitō differ from usual far right political parties in Japan, as most of its supporters are affluent, previously political apathetic, who get attracted by the party through topics like organic food culture and spirituality. The party has been described as a cult by experts.
--- end quote ---
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanseit%C5%8D
So, readers of the Wikipedia blurb would not be surprised about recent news that leaders of the party don't run it very democratically because cults are not known for their democratic tendencies.
It's also been pointed out that SANSEITO seems to be looking to achieve Trump-like success but taking similar positions in Japan:
--- start quote ---
The party has characterized the pandemic as being staged and has heavily criticized the government’s handling of the health crisis. It uses rhetoric that resembles that of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his calls to “make American great again.”
In a campaign speech, one of the party’s candidates underscored the need to “restore a true Japan,” calling it “the world’s best” country.
Ninety-eight percent of its 50 candidates support protecting domestic industries, according to a joint study by The Asahi Shimbun and the University of Tokyo.
The study also found that 94 percent oppose Japan accepting more foreign workers.
Asked about parallels with the “America First” policy championed by Trump, Kamiya acknowledged the similarities, saying, “There is no question about it.”
--- end quote ---
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14668905
Now, I don't mean to say that nothing has been written about this party in Japanese; of course, a lot has been written. People actively searching for background information in Japanese will find plenty of it. In the local news coverage, however, such context has been largely absent.
Let's take TAKAI Chitose's support for Japan becoming a nuclear power as an example. As I mentioned above, TAKAI has been elected to the prefectural assembly. In the profile on TAKAI by the Mainichi Shimbun (not exactly "local"), she clearly affirms that she thinks that Japan should be a nuclear power.
https://mainichi.jp/senkyo/26san/meikan/?mid=B43000001001
Well, she's entitled to her opinion, but I think that voters in Kumamoto who don't happen to read the Mainichi Shimbun are also entitled to know about her embrace of this position. At my university, I'm able to access the complete database of Kumanichi articles so I was able to confirm the Kumanichi has been completely silent on this issue. Coverage of TAKAI that I've seen on TV has been extremely friendly to her. A direct interview I saw on RKK didn't include any tough question about her anti-foreign or militaristic stances.
I've spent a lot of time learning Japanese and find being able to access information written in the language to be very valuable. Usually, the best information about a country is to be found in the language of its people. But, occasionally, one can get a better sense of phenomenon by reading in another language -- from the perspective of an outsider. For me, this is one such example.
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/984519?display=1
「独裁的な体制に怖さを感じた」なぜ相次ぐ “参政党議員の離党”　議員9人が相次いで党を離れる　離党した筑紫るみ子議員、伊藤翼議員に話を聞いた | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送
去年（2023年）の熊本市議選に初挑戦した参政党は2議席を獲得し、参政党旋風が続くかと思われましたが、そのうちの1人 筑紫るみ子（ちくし るみこ）議員が、突然離党しました。離党に至った理由は何なのかカメラの…

Kirk here. The article begins " . . . police stationed in Kumamoto -- One Piece author Eiichiro Oda's hometown -- arrested two foreign citizens suspected of infringing on Weekly Shonen Jump's copyright." I hope no one associated with page was involved in the crime.
Multiple Major One Piece, JJK Leakers Shut Down Following Arrests
Major One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen leakers shut down following the arrest of individuals suspected of infringing on Weekly Shonen Jump's copyright.

Ruth here sharing an invitation to a social afternoon, decorating cookies, speaking Japanese, playing simple games and such, in Gofukumachi•呉服町 on Sat., 17th Feb.
The organiser is a local university student, who is big on organising international exchange events, so they asked to extend the invitation to our Kumamoto International community.
It's 1500 yen to participate, and that includes a drink and the other activities. Students get a discount! ☕
Please see the image or FB page for more details:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122125299632106966&id=61553208980192&wtsid=rdr_0qpD9Ui27Ho78GNMl
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/YZNMKBQuEC8xqcam/

William The new Tateno Dam is what is known as a "running water" dam (流水型ダム, ryūsui-gata damu) - that is, the three outlets at its base are kept open permanently, and the damn serves simply to control water flow.
However, in the event of a "150 year flood" event, the reservoir may fill entirely, so the dam is designed to allow water to flow over its top. To test this functionality, recently engineers blocked the lower outlets to force an overflow. JR had arranged a special sightseeing train for tourists to witness this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. The photos are certainly alarming - hopefully, we will never have to see this occur naturally. Yomiuri has the scoop (Japanese),; photo from the Kumanichi.
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/kumamoto/news/20240205-OYTNT50172/

William To my friends in earthquake-land:
When the first Kumamoto quake happened, my LCD toppled over and broke, so as soon as the stores opened again (TVs are kinda useful for info during quakes), I bought another. This then toppled over and broke in an aftershock, so I bought one more - and this time, I used an O screw on a wall stud and secured it. I still have that TV (though, ironically, no one uses it anymore).
Now: buy a 90¢ O screw and secure your TV. Your neighbors will thank you for it when you're left with the only working TV on the block (once the electricity comes back on).

William with an item tangentially related to Kumamoto: Though our local faults (geological, not moral) tend to be parallel, Japan itself is built atop a subductive fault, with the Pacific plate moving under the Eurasian plate (the one we're on), which means that something has to be pushing the Pacific plate westward.
That would be the mid-Atlantic rift, where the plates are spreading apart. Normally, all of this occurs deep underneath the Atlantic - except for Iceland (which is green, unlike Greenland, which is icy).
The rift zone in Iceland is normally stone-cold, uh, stone, except for times like now. Google "Iceland eruptions" for more info and amazing photos, and remember: what happens in Iceland doesn't stay in Iceland. Its ripples will, in geological time, to be felt here.
https://jp.reuters.com/pictures/iceland-volcano-recedes-after-lava-reaches-fishing-town-2024-01-15/

William here with a personal request.
I've broken my knee recently, so my exercise options are limited. I'm looking for a mountain/road bicycle, one that's good for riding to Ariake Sea along Shirakawa. If anyone has one for sale or has recommendations, please let me know.
Thank you.

William with more on Yamaga.
Yamaga is holding a festival called "Yamaga Toro Roman - Hyakka Hyakusai,'' started to encourage people to visit Yamaga during the winter by taking advantage of the picturesque streets of Buzen Kaido. 5,000 Japanese "wagasa" (umbrellas, the manufacture of which Yamaga is famous) and bamboo lanterns are lined up from Yachiyoza, the symbol of Yamaga City, to Yamaga Onsen.
The event will be held every Friday and Saturday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm until February 24th, and will feature Yamaga Taiko and Toro Odori performances at Yachiyo-za, as well as stalls set up by local restaurants at Sakurayu. It looks very magical.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/237ba72c3c2d131fc022858c7ac60f25b84d3edb

Atsuko.
③Since there were no comments on the auction, I took the refrigerator to the charity auction site.
If you want one, please go to 復興デパートアマテラスReconstruction Department Store Amaterasu on February 11, 10-4pm. There will be a charity event as well.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=404924948871811&id=100080629279975
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
②Sorry.
I posted it in the morning, and when I looked at it in the evening, there were 3 wants, and a friend immediately contacted me directly to say she wanted it for the Ishikawa support charity auction, so I thought I would take it there. I thought that anyone who wanted it could buy it at the auction there. Happy thought it would be better to share it with many people.
But could people who wanted the fridge be able to buy it at the auction there and still transport it by automobile? I thought, "I don't think it's possible.
After thinking about all this, I would like to have a public charity auction here.
The deadline for the auction is 12:00 noon tomorrow. The proceeds will of course be donated to the Ishikawa earthquake relief efforts. Sorry, this auction is only in Kumamoto City. If you can come and pick it up yourself, even outside of Kumamoto city, it is OK. I will only deliver in Kumamoto City.
The deadline is 12:00 noon tomorrow.
Thank you very much.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
①Personal Announcement.
Do you need a 2-door refrigerator?
It is still usable. If you are in Kumamoto City, I will bring it to you by car. If you need one, please write in the comment box.

Thanks Tran.
My hometown, Nakomi town is next to Yamaga city.
There are many beautiful places in Yamaga.
Now is the season of Yamaga Lantern Romance Hyakka Hyakusai.
Please enjoy Yamaga in winter too. Atsuko⸜(*ˊᗜˋ*)⸝
https://yamaga-tanbou.jp.e.zh.hp.transer.com/about/hyakkahyakusai/

William The annual burning of the Aso highlands is necessary to kill off all of the saplings - without it, the mountain would be a forest instead of grassland for grazing. Explore Kumamoto notes that it will begin on 2/24 this year. Several festivals accompany the event, or you could just find a cozy spot with a picnic to view the magnificent torching of the winter grass to make way for the spring.

William Japan has some pretty fascinating footwear. Most are familiar with the wooden geta, which allow the wearer to stay above the muck. The jikatabi are cotton boots with a rubber sole used by construction workers for their flexibility. They hook up the back, are very comfortable. come in different heights, and are often worn in festivals. A great place to buy such footwear is on Kokai shopping street. In particular, near the torii at the entrance is a large shoe shop which is popular among festival-goers, providing a wide selection of unique footwear.
This is my jikatabi collection.

William "February is the cruelest month" is said, along with "Gardening is the triumph of hope over experience." To tide us over 'til the warm winds of March, two agricultural festivals are held. Both are rather different.
One, along Shirakawa across from the train station, caters more towards home horiculturists; the second, at the Agricultural Park, more towards farmers. Both include long greenhouses toasting in the sun and ample stalls to compliment plant stuff - I love the stalls shilling antiques (rather expensive, they invite more browsing than bargain hunting, but ya never know).
For gastronimy, the former allows dining sitting along the river edge where one can feed seagulls, while the latter offers a vast lawn and a wonderful playground for the kids. Motsunabe, a piping-hot stew made from pork intestine that originated in the Kumamoto area and is best seasoned with a healthy helping of shichimi spice, is the food of choice.
Links are below, noting daily special events. As always, any questions may be directed to us.
https://kuma-uekiichi.com/
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1306244

Kirk here. The student shown in the image you see actually said 'We call it nohgakuden in Japanese'; the mistake is that of whoever put the subtitles on the video at RKK. The TV report is about how this university student is studying to become a certified English-language guide.
In one sense, I can understand how staff at RKK might make mistakes with English subtitles like these. They are not specialists in English and they are usually under significant time pressure to prepare their videos for broadcast. On the other hand, I think such mistakes may be a significant problem for young people who are keenly interested in improving their English. If I were such a young person, I can imagine how confused these subtitles would make me. I'd probably assume that the subtitles must be correct and that I failed to hear what she said or that my knowledge of how English works (what's OK and not OK) must be wrong.
Language learning is confusing enough without the proliferation of poor models adding to the confusion. I often hear how Japanese people should worry less about mistakes. Well, yes, if you're in a social situation that requires English, just do your best and don't beat yourself up if you make some mistakes. But, if you're in a position to publish English that will be seen by lots of people, I think it's necessary and good to worry about getting the English right.
You can see the video and text (with the uncorrected English subtitles) here:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/ae0a7985233356f14a889bce33ab7c0bbd5fe9c2

Kirk here. This came in my news feed but it's from the Fuji Film website so it might be sort of a cross between an ad for the company and news, I do think it's another indication of the growth of the high-tech sector in Kumamoto.
Fujifilm Starts Full-Scale Operation of its Production Facility for Basic Material Used in Semiconductor Manufacturing Process | Fujifilm [United States]
Launches Kumamoto site for semiconductor materials manufacturing, establishing its first CMP slurries production system in Japan

Kirk here. This painting by Tomikichiro Tokuriki (1902-1999) is mentioned in an article about Japanese art and the crescent moon published in the Modern Tokyo Times.
https://moderntokyotimes.com/japan-art-and-the-crescent-moon/

Kirk here. I read this article about rules pertaining to the use Kumamon's image with interest. Here's and odd one: Since Kumamon is considered to be male, he's not allowed to like sweet things like cake (cake!!). I've heard the idea that, in Japan, people used to think that sweets were feminine and therefore it was thought that men and boys shouldn't like them. But, I thought that was an old, discredited stereotype and so was a bit surprised to learn that it has been made an official rule. Read the whole article for more interesting tidbits.
This fictional Japanese bear comes with strict rules about being aged up, put in a skirt or given beer
The super detailed usage guidelines for Kumamoto Prefecture's popular mascot character Kumamon have attracted attention on Japanese social media