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I received an inquiry about homeopathy. Apparently, there are several practitioners in Kumamoto, but the information I was able to find on the web was only in Japanese.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/601620739911362

This article includes some information about Kumamon's "birth":
"TV show writer Kundo Koyama, best known for his work on the Iron Chef cooking series, was charged with promoting the prefecture when a new bullet train service linking Kumamoto with the commercial hub of Osaka was being launched in recent years. Koyama then asked celebrated art director Manabu Mizuno to create a campaign logo, and threw in the cuddly Kumamon as a bonus."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/world/a/21647953/japan-mascot-shows-bear-necessities-for-marketing-success/
Japan mascot shows bear necessities for marketing success
Tokyo (AFP) - A clumsy bear mascot for a remote Japanese farming region has rocketed to superstar fame and notched up an unlikely marketing triumph in a nation obsessed with all things cute.

Here's a poster promoting local universities. It points out that the cost of living is lower in Kumamoto than in many other cities. (I added the English to the graph in the lower lefthand corner.)

An answer to something I wonder about from time to time.
http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/106640.php
Why do Japanese people wear surgical masks?
The number of people you'll see in Japan wearing surgical masks is pretty surprising. Sure, Japan is a hard working society, and the spread of productivity-sapping sickness is always a concern at schools and workplaces, but that doesn't seem like reason enough for the proliferation of facial coverin...

Employees at Kumamoto Bank (among others) will be testing this out.
http://nz.finance.yahoo.com/news/fujitsu-worlds-first-tablet-built-104800515.html
Fujitsu to Provide World's First Tablet with Built-in Palm Vein Authentication Sensor to Fukuoka...
Deployment of 2,000 tablets will enable safe and secure handling of customer data anytime, anywhere, through a virtual desktop Tokyo, Feb 20, 2014 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu today announced that it has commenced work on a project, ordered by Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc., to provide 2,000 tablets wi...

The article describes the fascinating life of a man who was born and raised in Hitoyoshi.
http://chestnuthilllocal.com/blog/2014/02/21/strings-attached-hills-roy-miyahara-guitar-ceo-superstar-now-rubs-people-right-way/
No strings attached with Hill's Roy Miyahara - Guitar CEO superstar now rubs people the right...
by Carole Verona When you meet Roy Miyahara, the first thing you want to know is why he gave up a lucrative position as president of a successful international company to become a message therapist and, subsequently, the owner of Diamond Spa in Chestnut Hill. For him, the answer is simple: “I was wi...

We've started a little conversation about how to send money abroad. If you are interested in the topic, please join us!
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/600135043393265?comment_id=4564305

At the Fish Spa Kurokawa Ashiyu, you can have fish eat your face clean -- if that sort of thing appeals to you.
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/02/20/oh-my-our-brave-reporter-feeds-his-face-to-a-group-of-flesh-eating-fish/
Oh my! Our brave reporter feeds his face to a group of flesh-eating fish
While the thought of feeding on dead skin cells may not sound particularly appetizing to you or me, it can actually be a treat for some creatures, including the fish Garra rufa, or doctor fish as they're commonly known. These little aquatic "doctors" are well-known in Japan as a form of skin treatme...

We've had a couple of inquiries about exporting cars, one on the mailing list and one on this page:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12791
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/599633370110099
If you are interested in this topic, please share your thoughts or information.
Yahoo Groups

The Kumamoto-i mailing list can be a good place to make inquiries. Recently, a participant made an inquiry about how to obtain imported deodorants and perfumes. Here's a post with a couple of answers.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12789
Yahoo Groups

A new photo exhibition is being held at the Minamata Disease Municipal Museum in Minamata and will continue until March 14. Here's a quote from the article about the photographer:
"Ishikawa was an aspiring photographer who began working with famed U.S. photojournalist W. Eugene Smith (1918-78) after a chance encounter with the lensman on the streets of Tokyo."
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201402180005
Photo exhibition portrays 40 years of living with Minamata disease - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
MINAMATA, Kumamoto Prefecture--A new photo exhibition chronicles the lives of sufferers of Minamata disease and how they have worsened with the passage of time.

This is about "a national competition to select the busho-tai squad champion has been arranged for Feb. 22 and 23." But even if you can't attend the competition, you may enjoy reading the article to learn more about the "omotenashi busho-tai" that performs on the grounds of Kumamoto Castle.
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/AJ201402160009
Warriors to battle in 'omotenashi' competition - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
Carrying swords and often wearing armor, warrior squads are offering Japanese hospitality to tourists around the country.

There have been some interesting posts on Kumamon's page recently. I don't share all of them because they are in English and people interested in English information about Kumamoto can just "like" the page to follow the posts. If you haven't done so already, take a look!
KUMAMON’s Kumamoto Diary
This is a webpage of KUMAMON’s introducing the timely information of Kumamoto, Japan. We’ll share the information of Kumamoto’s tasty food and travel with KUMAMON!

This event is scheduled for the afternoon of February 22.
http://www.kicjapan.com/events-lets-try-hijab
Events: Let's Try Hijab
Kumamoto Islamic Center is a Muslim community trying to organize Islamic activities such as Friday prayer, Eid prayer and celebrationof Ramadhan, in Kumamoto, Japan

On his Facebook page, Mr. Yagi of the Kumamoto International Foundation shared this information about an opportunity to visit cultural spots in Yamato-cho and Misato-cho.
Here's the address of Mr. Yagi's original post:
https://www.facebook.com/hiromitsu.yagi/posts/772293169466966
The application deadline is coming up soon so, if you are interested, please hurry:
Here's the text of Mr. Yagi's message:
==== START QUOTE ====
Hello,
As I received UNESCO's invitation for foreign residents to visit Kumamoto's cultural heritages by bus,so I would like to email you, as follows:
1. Purpose:
To deepen the understandings of Kumamoto's culture, nature and history, and then to exchange friendships
2. Organizer: Kumamoto UNESCO Assocation
3. Date and time: 8:40am - 4:20pm on Sat. 8 March
4. Destination; The cultural spots in Yamato-cho and Misato-cho
5. For whom: Foreign residents (over elementary students)
* Capacity 35persons (bus seats are limited)
*Infant who do not go to elementary school are not allowed to join.
6. Participation fee 500Yen/person for adult
300Yen/person for elementary school students
*The fee be paid on the tour day.
7. Kumamoto Prefecture Government Building (6-18-1 Suizenji Chuo-ku
Kumamoto-shi)
*Please note that it is not the Kumamoto City Hall
　　http://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/3/access-map-add2009.html
8. Itinerary
8:40 Get together at the big Clock at the Kumamoto Prefecture Government
building
9:00 Start for the tour by bus
10:40 Seiwa Bunraku theater / View and experience the Bunraku
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku
11:50 Lunch at the Seiwa Bunraku no Sato (rest square in Seiwa)
12:40 Departure of the rest square
13:40 Tujyun bridge and Water fall (Gorogataki)
　http://www.town.kumamoto-yamato.lg.jp/map/pub/Detail.aspx?c_id=56&id=395
A great stone bridge with irrigation function
14:40 Departure of the bridge
15:15 Reitai bridge　(Viewing from the bus windows)
http://www.yado.co.jp/hasi/kumamoto/midorik/reidai/reidai.htm
16:20 Return to the Kumamoto Prefecture Government building
9. Lunch : Please be recommended to bring some lunch boxes as it will be crowed at the food shop there...
10. Note: Be punctual . The bus should depart on time without waiting the person delayed...
11. Application:
Please email to yagi at KIF at [email protected] following info.
(Deadline Feb 19, I make the list and email to UNESCO office on the following day.)
1. full name
2. nationality
3. phone number (and ,Keitai number in urgent)
4. Age. (for insurance)
5. Have you join the tour of UNESCO before? Yes or No
If you want to join with you family, please write names of all the family members who would like to join.
** If the applicants are over 35persons, lottery by the Kumamoto UNESCO association should be made. Then, the UNESCO will get back by Feb. 28 if you can join or not... So I will be able to email the result to each of you on March 1 at latest...
I hope this be interesting.
Cordially,
Hiromitsu YAGI
([email protected])
Kumamoto International Foundation
Phone +81 (0)96 359-2020
Fax +81 (0)96 359-5783
連絡先・アクセス・庁内マップ - 熊本県庁
〔ＪＲ豊肥線乗り換え〕約２０分　ＪＲ新水前寺下車→徒歩(約２分)→水前寺駅通り停留所から県庁方面行きバス乗車→徒歩

"LOCAL CELEBRITY: Kumamon, the black bear mascot of southern Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture, appeared at Tokyo’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan on Friday. There are about 1,000 mascots across Japan that promote the regions they are from."
http://blogs.wsj.com/photojournal/2014/02/14/photos-of-the-day-feb-14-3/
Photos of the Day: Feb. 14
In today’s photos, a Japanese mascot greets fans, a man in Syria hugs a child after an airstrike, a hockey player delivers a punch in an Olympics game, and more.

Air conditioner for sale:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12784

Looking for an English teacher for a job in the Ezuko area of Kumamoto City:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12786
Yahoo Groups

This article points out that Kumamoto Castle "with the remarkable grace of 800 cherry trees" is one of the best places in Kyushu to enjoy hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) in March. I know it's cold now but spring is on it's way!
http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/unionpay-introducing-appeal-japans-hospitality-050000876.html
UnionPay: Introducing the Appeal of Japan's Hospitality Culture, Responsible for a Surge in...
TOKYO--(BUSINESSWIRE)-- UnionPay cards have handled over 15 billion yen worth of transactions for tourists visiting Japan as of September of 2013. To commemorate this, UnionPay is running a "UnionPay Accommodation Campaign," (http://www.shopping-guide.co.jp/) in which users can receive the benefit o...

Mute bear caricature gives Japanese press conference
A life-size bear mascot with red cheeks and no voice held a press conference in Tokyo on Friday, the latest public relations coup for the rural Japanese region he represents. "Kumamon", whose name means "Bear-person" in the dialect of Kumamoto, southern Japan, answered questions from among the ranks...