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I'm not a big fan of the horses-for-meat industry but, nonetheless, I'm very sorry to hear about this incident. -- Kirk
Man Caring for Horses for Meat at Ranch Falls Unconscious after Being Kicked in Face by Horse in Kumamoto Pref.
A man taking care of horses for meat fell unconscious after being kicked in the face by a horse at a ranch in Kumamoto Prefecture on Wednesday, police said.

Kirk here. Kumamoto and Miyagi Prefectures will be the first in Japan to get special treatment that will allow them to bring in foreign workers more quickly. The headline refers to "semiconductor-related personnel" (半導体関連の人材), but I suspect that they are really talking about bringing in foreign construction workers (folks willing to take jobs Japanese people tend to avoid); TSMC has had plenty of time to screen and prepare to bring in highly-trained engineers.
--- ChatGPT translation of the article ---
Shortage of Semiconductor-related Personnel: Kumamoto Designated as National Strategic Special Zone (Kokka Senryaku Tokku) to Shorten Foreign Worker Residency Screening Period
June 6, 2024, 16:32
With the advance of TSMC, the severe shortage of personnel has become a critical issue. As a solution, Kumamoto Prefecture has been designated as a "National Strategic Special Zone (Kokka Senryaku Tokku)," allowing for the shortening of the residency status screening period for foreigners employed by semiconductor-related companies.
Prime Minister Kishida (June 4, National Strategic Special Zone Advisory Council)
In Kumamoto, the concentration of semiconductor-related companies has progressed with TSMC's advance, resulting in a severe shortage of personnel and a growing demand for foreign workers. However, according to the prefecture, currently, issuing a certificate of eligibility for residency status for foreigners requires not only the residency status screening but also the examination of the stability of the employer's management, which can take up to about three months.
To address these issues, the prefecture applied for the newly established special zone system by the Cabinet Office aimed at solving regional and social issues.
At the National Strategic Special Zone Advisory Council held on the 4th, Kumamoto Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture were designated as the first-ever "Industrial Base Formation Collaboration 'Kizuna' Special Zones" (Sangyō Kyoten Keisei Renkei 'Kizuna' Tokku) nationwide. As a result, the residency status screening period will be shortened to about one month.
Governor Takashi Kimura of Kumamoto Prefecture
Governor Kimura commented, "We believe that this will further accelerate the resolution of various issues accompanying the concentration of the semiconductor-related industry and contribute to the realization of the 'New Silicon Island Kyushu'."
半導体関連の人材不足『熊本が国家戦略特区に』外国人労働者の在留資格審査期間短縮へ｜KKT NEWS NNN
TSMCの進出に伴い人手不足が深刻となる中、半導体関連企業で採用する外国人の在留資格の審査期間を短縮することができる｢国家戦略特区｣に熊本県が指定されました。

Here's something about an educational innovation in Yamaga. -- Kirk
Nintendo Switch used to teach programming and promote logical thinking in Japanese elementary schools
A city in Kumamoto prefecture has launched a successful initiative to teach programming to 6th graders using Nintendo Switch consoles.

Here's the first in a series, done by local high school students, on historical figures in Kumamoto. -- Kirk
https://www.facebook.com/kumamoto.en/posts/pfbid02DomsyWemEGP4HRFVB9P4zX4SLTp7SUVsMvnh2Z5xEov1YedqViYZVympPnPerx5Vl

Kirk here. Kumamoto Castle has been (temporarily?) overtaken. But the numbers are still close. This shall not stand!! :)
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/travel-spots/20240529-188961/
Here's where you can follow Kumamoto Castle and help it fight back!
https://www.instagram.com/kumamoto_castle/
Matsumoto Castle Becomes Japan’s Most Followed Official Castle Account on Instagram; Overtakes Kumamoto Castle
MATSUMOTO, Nagano – Matsumoto Castle’s official Instagram account on Tuesday overtook Kumamoto Castle’s to become the most followed official account of any of Japan’s castles.

Kirk here. Michaela posted about this the other day. (Thanks Michaela!)
Kumamoto bus, train firms to drop national IC cards, embrace new cashless payment methods - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- On May 27, five bus and train operators in Kumamoto Prefecture announced that they would discontinue fare payments using 10 national trans

Kirk here. This came to me via a Google news feed for "Kumamoto" because of the following sentence:
"On May 24, the Kumamoto city government, in effect, threw its hands in the air and posted a notice on its website stating that people who need certificates quickly should contact the local government of their registered domicile."
The phrase "local government of their registered domicile" refers to the fact that the system is designed to help people who don't live in the community where their family register (koseki; 戸籍) is kept obtain the documents they need quickly and easily. If you should be in a position to use it, beware that it's been very buggy.
Justice Ministry data-sharing system proves to be a nightmare | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
A database introduced in March for the convenience of residents needing copies of official documents is so riddled with glitches that local government workers are often forced to spend hours attending to a request rather than simply hitting a button for “print.”

William Sawako died (if you need advice on Japanese funerals, contact me), and I broke me knee, so I don't get out much. But my two kids are headed home, one from Tokyo and one from Baltimore, at the same time!
Sawako and I used to run around the castle each Sunday. The walkway they have installed as reconstruction continues looks amazing, and I greatly look forward to visiting it. Please plan a visit while it is up!

This article from Kumanichi (paywalled) says that from the middle of next year they are planning to stop payments on Kumamoto buses and trams using national transport IC cards such as Suica. The reason is due to the cost of updating the payment machines. Options such as tapping/touching with debit or credit cards will still be possible. I’m wondering if you will still be able to use the Kumamon IC card?? If anyone has access to the full article ask they can share more details that would be great! Michaela

William A reminder to all US citizens to register to vote. https://www.facebook.com/CenterForUSVotersAbroad
Center for US Voters Abroad Turnout Project
We help eligible U.S. citizens living abroad register to vote an absentee ballot.

Beautiful bright blue sky and the beautiful fresh green of Kumamoto Castle.
Since April this year, I have been at Joto Elementary School very close to Kumamoto Castle. This is an elementary school that values ​​the Kumamoto spirit of Lord Kiyomasa and aims to excel in both the academic and athletic fields.
You can see Kumamoto Castle from all the classrooms. I can even see the figures of the castle tower.
I shared this photo because I like to see Kumamoto Castle in early summer surrounded by fresh greenery, although it is nice to see Kumamoto Castle during the cherry blossom season. If you climb the keep this week, you'll see me dancing on the playground. ٩(•ᴗ• ٩)Atsuko

Kirk here. I saw something on RKK today about "COST MANIA," a shop that specializes in selling (reselling) COSTCO items. Just opened in Arao, fairly far north for many of us but, if you're in that part of the prefecture or passing through, it may be worth taking a look. Unlike COSTCO, you don't need to be a member and they take things that COSTCO only sells in large quantities and sells them in smaller sizes / quantities.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5xdrCGyWB7/
To find the location, pop the following address in Google maps:
〒864-0001 熊本県荒尾市原万田７００−１
It's behind the Yellow Hat (automotive shop) in the Anytime Fitness in the Ariake Plaza.
各専門の業者さん・スタッフの協力おかげで 着々とお店が出来上がってきています 　 商品の仕入れも少しずつスタートです！ 　 📍熊本県荒尾市原万田700-1 有明プラザ内 (旧:博多一番どり跡) #コスマニア #COSTMANIA #コストコ再販店 #コストコ #コストコおすすめ #コストコ購入品 #コストコ新商品 #コストコ久山 #コストコ熊本御船 #コストコ熊本 #荒尾 #荒尾グルメ #熊本 #熊本グルメ #熊本newオープン #newオープン

If you, like me, like to travel by bullet train, you should check this out. -- Kirk
Kyushu bullet trains become first in Japan to adopt dynamic pricing
Some Kyushu Shinkansen line services in southwestern Japan will adopt dynamic pricing for advance tickets after a recent trial eased congestion, the operator says, becoming the first bullet trains in the country to use the system.

There seems to have been a glider accident in the Aso area. The young pilot (a university student from Fukuoka) is reported to have been injured but not killed, thank goodness. -- Kirk
【速報】グライダーが公園に墜落し1人けが 　福岡県の20代大学生か　 熊本・産山村
警察によりますと、25日午後４時半ごろ、熊本県産山村のヒゴタイ公園にグライダーが墜落しました。RKK近くの施設の人が「グライダーが墜落して１人がけがをしている」と119...

Fiona here, back from a long Kumamoto-i hiatus to share a recommendation for S'ping, a newly opened book cafe in Kengun. Situated on Densha-dori, it's easy to reach by public transport and is a lovely spot to do some quiet reading or writing. The shelves are lined with books, all in Japanese as far as I could tell, and the menu offers pasta, hot sandwiches, drinks and desserts. I have a feeling this will be a popular place during the rainy season.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2XGyrxFjmAmJVGRk8

Tamana made the NHK world service so I thought I’d share it with you all. The home of Kumamoto Ramen! Please come and enjoy a bowl while taking in the irises at the festival this weekend!
KUMAMOTO - RAMEN JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN
A bowl of resilience! The unique, garlic-powered tonkotsu ramen that reignited the spirit of Kumamoto post-quake!

Joe Tomei here, and FFF goes downtown to check out some South Indian food! Because of demographics, when we think of Indian cuisine, we think of Northern India. A lot more wheat so naan bread, and the curries are heavier and creamier and almost all of the Indian restaurants in Kumamoto are based on that style. So I was really happy to find Toddy's, (https://www.instagram.com/toddy_shop_kumamoto/)
which does a veg and non-veg thali (set with small bowls of different curries). Toddy's is a bit of a pop-up shop, only open on Saturdays and Sundays for lunch in a 4th floor space that is a bar/snack (aramatsu bar) the rest of the week. Located behind the shiyakusho, the sign has Malayalam script and is only open from 12 to 2. He sometimes takes the day off, so check the instagram. A pick of the store front and last weekend's non-veg thali.
Location is on the FFF map, which you can find here
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing

William Kumamoto deserved a mention in Japan Today as the Japanese city least expensive to bear a child (Tokyo was highest, 605,000 yen and 361,000 yen respectively - so we've basically got two for one here!) https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-weighs-incentivizing-childbirth-by-fully-covering-expenses
I'd like to give a shoutout to Fukuda Byoin https://www.fukuda-hp.or.jp/ , the birthplace of my two children, as a comprehensive and compassionate maternity hospital. (It's also located next to a fascinatingly old section of the castle.) Most doctors there speak English quite well, prenatal care is extensive, and post-natal care is thoughtful, with a congratulatory in-suite dinner. (Also, it's on the tram line.)
熊本　産婦人科　福田病院（熊本県熊本市）地域周産期母子医療センター
熊本の産婦人科　福田病院　熊本県熊本市新町2丁目2-6　明治40年開院し平成27年で108周年を迎えました。「大学病院の医療水準」と「助産院のあたたかさ」を基本に女性のライフステージすべての健康を守り、その生活を支....

Kirk here with a news article about our new governor. It doesn't really seem to have "legs" in the sense that I haven't seen much media coverage about it after it first came out. I suspect the governor simply failed to recognize the need to be careful when disposing of leftover flowers but, still, avoiding even the appearance of impropriety is import.
Kumamoto Governor embroiled in flower scandal
Governor Kimura was accused of dealing pot...s of flowers.

The latest edition of The YOKA is out. Have a look! -- Kirk
The YOKA
This issue of the YOKA features... ​ JET Spotlight - Daryl Rose A New Lifestyle Abroad - Kate Abbate Goshoura Dino Museum - Ryan Moraga Snacks Native to Kyushu - Lily Feast "So, What Next?" -...