Posts

Kirk here. COVID-19 has had an negative impact on Kumamoto's bus companies. In response the decreased ridership, they have decided to raise bus fare to 180 yen beginning on October 1st. -- KIrk
熊本市中心部の路線バスが10月から均一180円運賃へ　初乗り料金は20円の値上げに | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送
赤字が続く路線バスの利用促進と収支改善に向け、熊本市中心部では10月から均一運賃が導入されます。熊本市内の路線バスを運行するバス会社の合計収支はコロナ禍前で約30億円、コロナ禍以降は約40億円の赤字で厳し…

I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the museum to open in Amakusa (previous post) but Kumadai is planning a exhibit on dinosaurs starting October 18. -- Kirk
https://www.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/event/koho/20231018-1024

Amakusa to get a new dinosaur museum next March. As you may know, there's also a dinosaur museum in Mifune. -- Kirk
天草市の新恐竜博物館、24年3月開館　化石や骨格標本など2千点展示｜熊本日日新聞社
　熊本県天草市は22日、市立御所浦恐竜の島博物館を、来年3月20日に開館すると発表した。御所浦町で見つかった国内最大級の大型肉食恐竜の歯の化石や、九州初の恐竜の足跡化石など約2千点を展示する。

Kirk here with an event coming up this weekend that is clearly "on topic" for this page:
30th and 1st (Sat. & Sun.), Sun Road Shinshigai, International Festival
　「第28回 熊本国際交流祭典」が9月30日・10月1日の2日間、サンロード新市街（熊本市中央区新市街）で開催される。
熊本・サンロード新市街で「国際交流祭典」　各国の民族衣装試着も
「第28回 熊本国際交流祭典」が9月30日・10月1日の2日間、サンロード新市街（熊本市中央区新市街）で開催される。

Kirk here with some good news in a sad and never ending struggle for justice.
Japan's court recognizes more victims of Minamata mercury poisoning and awards them compensation
A Japanese court has ordered the central government, the Kumamoto prefecture and a chemical company to recognize more than 120 plaintiffs as patients of the decades-old Minamata mercury poisoning and pay compensation they have been denied because they developed symptoms after moving away from the re

Kirk here with another post about Japanese encephalitis:
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230926/p2a/00m/0na/002000c
Here's address of what I posted the other day:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid02cMD5KXyzNsxPWg8FvZBBd85SbRYWoZGb8DMoNsipA1inoNxag2j4GxpqBjeQrENMl
Beware of mosquitoes: 1st Japanese encephalitis case of year confirmed in Kumamoto Pref. - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- Authorities are calling for caution as the first case of Japanese encephalitis in the country this year has been confirmed in Kumamoto Pre

Yum! Vegetarian and vegan-friendly food. Another good reason to read Kuma Visit. -- Kirk
https://www.facebook.com/kumavisit/posts/pfbid09ZhHXLVt54VqEGpLurqpKQHzC4CviySKQzgdFHaRDMmAPw9RrWQnMgWX2njyFz9wl

Kirk here. Lots of events are coming up this weekend. If you click on the following link you can use the calendar to find the post or posts on this page about the event that interests you.
https://kumamotoi.blogspot.com/2023/09/calendar.html

I learned a new expression from this extensive article: "TSMC shock." Makes sense. Thanks to Andrew for the link. -- Kirk
https://www.ft.com/content/09f0ae79-8935-4070-ab52-dc828b770dce?accessToken=zwAGBjpZC3mQkc8J8K55iTVAcNOrUtyCi3cNzg.MEQCIGIDsYSLdJ4JSFGNP0I_vMJ8dlDGYz6LvFCv_3WumXFQAiBGpXbwanLNyGvBLeXnSL5lCspTT8TUhcIot6LtTwGhyA&sharetype=gift&token=33840db8-d465-483d-9067-9910fdb2fe0d
How TSMC’s chip plant is shaking up a small town in Japan
Semiconductor giant’s arrival highlights broader challenges for Asia’s most advanced economy

Kirk here.
--- quote from article ---
“We must urgently strengthen the defense system in the Nansei region, including Okinawa. Camp Kengun has an even heavier responsibility,” he said in the address.
--- end quote ---
Japan’s New Defense Chief Kihara Visits Kumamoto, Emphasizing Importance of Kyushu, Okinawa
KUMAMOTO — Defense Minister Minoru Kihara on Saturday visited Camp Kengun in Kumamoto for his first inspection of Self-Defense Forces units after taking office, indicating the importance he places on the security of Kyushu and Okinawa Prefecture.

Sean here –
For the folks who are city dwellers and are carless and or would prefer a car free adventure, look no further than our collective backyard and favorite mountain (s) –
Grabbed some nice pics yesterday of our paradise – hope you enjoy.
This is a repost –
Optimal conditions for hiking are here. If you are looking for someplace local to explore, check out this site for QR code-guided hikes. Smartphone required.
5 different hikes to suit different skill levels based on "KUSAMAKURA-Three Cornered World" by Natsume Souseki
Natsume Sōseki was the pen name of Natsume Kinnosuke, who is widely considered to be the foremost Japanese novelist of the Meiji Era (1868–1912). Two of his novels, The Three-Cornered World and The 210th Day, are based on his experiences in Kumamoto.
A word of caution. There are many intertwining trails without signage and incredibly old signs which can’t be read, leaving you to guess which way to go.
For detailed info, check out this link.
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/popotabi/en/course/
Available in：
日本語
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/popotabi/course/
中国語
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/popotabi/tw/course/

Kirk here. This is fairly rare but it may be something for people in the Tamana area or other agricultural areas to be aware of.
--- quote from article ---
In response to this case, an advisory has been issued for the entire Kumamoto Prefecture, urging residents to take precautionary measures. These include wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites, and eliminating areas with stagnant water that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
It is worth mentioning that this is not the first time Japan has seen cases of Japanese encephalitis. In 2022, a total of five cases, including one fatality, were reported in Kumamoto Prefecture alone.
--- end of quote ---
https://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/news2/japan-reports-1st-japanese-encephalitis-case-of-2023-in-kumamoto-prefecture/95171/
Here's a YouTube video in English about Japanese encephalitis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaNNP7231Gw
And another article:
Japan reports 1st Japanese encephalitis case of 2023 in Kumamoto Prefecture
https://outbreaknewstoday.com/japan-reports-1st-japanese-encephalitis-case-of-2023-in-kumamoto-prefecture-75779/
P.S. I'm not sure why the woman pictured seems to be so pleased with this news about an encephalitis report.
First Case of Japanese Encephalitis Reported in Japan this Year

Kirk here with some Kuma shochu news.
Kumamoto Pref. Liqueur Features Local Shochu, Citrus Fruit
Local businesses in Kumamoto Prefecture have successfully produced a new liqueur using Kuma Shochu, a local specialty from the Hitoyoshi Kuma region of the prefecture, and a citrus fruit produced in Kumamoto City. It is the second product of a collaboration project between a local sake brewery and a...

Kirk here with a share from Untapped Kumamoto about cycling in Aso: "You can rent a bicycle at JR Aso station and they are available on a first come, first served basis."
https://www.facebook.com/untappedkumamoto/posts/pfbid0wN1bjtMjSvLQ96d2w2FAC7CrQoveToWrts89E4ivXX7kEK2KxnabUbtfiu8YPP8Ql

Kirk here with a story about an inspirational lady. (I think this is the second time for me to post about her work at the Shimotori McDonald's.)
At 90, oldest female McDonald's Japan staffer shares longevity secrets - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- As Japan's workforce ages, one 90-year-old worker at a McDonald's outlet in this southwest city in Kyushu continues to energetically greet

JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) has establish an office in Kumamoto to help foreign businesses. This is related to the arrival of TSMC and other related businesses in Kumamoto. -- Kirk
熊本県内に進出を希望する外国企業への支援デスクをJETROが設置　TSMC進出で外国企業からの問い合わせ相次ぐ | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送
TSMCの菊陽町進出をうけ、日本貿易振興機構=JETRO（ジェトロ）熊本が県内に進出を希望する外国企業への支援をスタートしました。JETRO熊本はこれまで、外国企業の日本への投資や国内企業の海外進出をサポートして…

Kirk here with old news about the Hassaku festival in Yamato-machi. Cute, huh?!
Kumamoto: Giant Float of Kumamon Paraded at Festival
YAMATO, Kumamoto — Ten huge floats made of tree bark, pine cones and other natural materials were the main attraction of a parade that took place earlier this month in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture. The Otsukurimono floats, which can reach up to 5 meters tall, were paraded at the Hassaku Festival, w...

Kirk here with an event schedule for the weekend of the 29th (Friday) to the 1st (Sunday). Taiwanese food!!
Kumamoto Taiwan Festival 2023 - Events in Kumamoto
The Kumamoto Taiwan Festival is a three-day event which brings a variety of flavorsome dishes to the city's Hanabatake Hiroba (Flower Garden Square) for attendees to try.

Kirk here. Various events that are part of the Kumamoto Oshiro Matsuri are coming up. This one the 29th and 30th of this month and will involve moon viewing, tea, and music. For details, I have to ask you to look at the Japanese:
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/oshiromatsuri/events/detail/35
As far as I can see you have to be able to read Japanese in order to find out about specific events during the castle festival. Foreigners just get static explanations about the castle and other aspects of Kumamoto. I realize that posting information on specific events can be time-consuming but, now that Kumamoto City employees are being encouraged to use ChatGPT, maybe they'll be able to start doing using AI to give foreign tourists better information.
Here's ChatGPT's translation of the information about the event:
Location:
1-1-1 Ninomaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 860-0008, Japan (Josaien Open Space & Riverside Area)
Organizer: Kumamoto City (Castle Festival Management Committee)
Contact Information:
Phone Number: 096-352-5900
FAX Number: 096-356-5655
Email Address: [email protected]
Admission: Free
Parking: Josaien Parking Lot
Business Hours:
8:00 AM to 9:30 PM (Closed at 10:30 PM)
Fees:
Regular cars: ¥200 for the first 2 hours (¥100 per additional hour thereafter)
Access Information:
5 minutes' walk from Sakura-machi Bus Terminal
5 minutes' walk from Hanabata-cho Tram Stop

Kirk here with an iguana update. This happened in Asagiri, in the Hitoyoshi area. (Note to headline editor: I think "captured" or "found" would have been better than "on the loose captured.")
2-meter-long iguana on the loose captured in southwest Japan - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- Local police on Sept. 22 captured a roughly 2-meter-long green iguana that had escaped from a house in the Kumamoto Prefecture town of Asa