Posts

Kirk here. No shortage of news about this guy -- though most of it doesn't mention his hometown.
Homer in 3rd straight game! Murakami continues astonishing start to MLB career
MILWAUKEE – The saga of Munetaka Murakami has gone far beyond bidets being installed at Rate Field per his recommendation, as many people expected who know his game. In just three games played during the opening weekend of the 2026 season against the Brewers at American Family Field, all three

NHK WORLD JAPAN
The Kumamoto castle's secrets are revealed through demolition. Atsuko ʕʘ̅͜ʘ̅ʔ

Kirk here. From the article:
--- start quote ---
The following excerpt is from The Thorn Puller, the first novel by the Japanese poet Hiromi Ito to be translated into English. With dark humor and refreshing candor, the novel explores the complexities and absurdities of illness, aging, and death as the narrator navigates the challenges of caring for her aging parents in Japan and her husband and children in California. The chapter below draws from Ito’s conversations with the novelist Michiko Ishimure, as well as from a variety of Japanese folktales, poems, and sutras.
--- end quote ---
From Hiromi Ito's English Wikipedia page:
--- start quote ---
Itō divides her time between her home in Encinitas, California and Kumamoto in southern Japan. In the latter, she has been the organizing force between a group of local writers and artists known as the "Kumamoto Band" (熊本文学隊, Kumamoto bungakutai). Itō's work is featured prominently in the Kumamoto Modern Literature Museum.
--- end quote ---
A Poet Stares Death in the Face
With questions about the end of life, a writer seeks guidance and companionship through conversation and ancient poetry.

Kirk here. I may not be able to send out a reminder so mark your calendar: April 11th!
Japan's Blue Impulse aerobatics team to perform over Kumamoto for 10th anniv. of 2016 quake - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatics team will perform over the city of Kumamoto this April 11 to mark the 10th anni

Kumamoto is now filled with beautiful cherry blossoms, especially in Suizenji. Suizenji Jojuen is crowded with many visitors enjoying the Suizenji Festival.
The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, creating a stunning scene. People are gathering to celebrate and enjoy the wonderful spring of Kumamoto, Japan.
The event runs until tomorrow—don’t miss this chance to experience it! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)وAtsuko
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18TC4XXGkW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JNe92yimf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Cassie here: There’s been a lot of bad news lately so here’s some good news. Kumamoto’s Munetaka Murakami (Kyushu Gakuin Graduate) hit a home run in his opening game for the White Sox. It’s pretty amazing to hit a home run in your first game in the MLB.

Kirk here. The article I introduced about the anti-immigration demonstration that occurred here in Kumamoto included the following statement from an organizer: "While Japanese people are struggling, it is wrong to spend large sums of tax money bringing in foreigners." In fact, however, the majority of economists that responded to a survey (image) answered that an increase in foreigners in Japan tended to improve living standards for Japanese nationals. These survey results were originally published in Japanese. I'll put links to both the English-language and Japanese-language articles in a comment.
The journalist who wrote the article about the demonstration in Kumamoto didn't endorse their argument -- he merely reported it. Nonetheless, it would have been nice if he had fact checked it for the benefit of his readers.

🌸🌸🌸
Suizenji Seisui-en Festival 2026
We’re holding the ‘Suizenji Seisui-en Festival’ again this year! 😊
Highlight 1: Japanese Cultural Experiences
Try your hand at the Hosokawa-style bonsai, experience yabusame (horseback archery),
and enjoy tea ceremonies and ikebana flower arranging…
There are plenty of fun activities to try! 🥰
Highlight 2: Food
Food trucks and collaborations with Kumamoto Commercial High School,
a gathering of delicious treats 🤤
Highlight 3: Events at Izumi Shrine
Miko dance workshops and observing Shinto wedding ceremonies,
be sure to check out these unique shrine events
that you don’t get to experience every day 👀✨
Highlight 4: Exhibitions
Exhibitions including the Morihiro Hosokawa Art Exhibition,
the 10th Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake Photo Exhibition, and the Higo Rokka Panel Exhibition,
offer plenty to enjoy at your leisure ☺️
○ｏ｡..:*･ ･*:..｡ｏ○
🌸 Suizenji Jojuen Festival 🌸
📅 28 March (Sat) & 29 March (Sun)
🕐 10:00–17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
📍 Suizenji Seisui-en / Suizenji Approach / Jane’s House
*Free admission for secondary school students and younger
🍵 Special Exhibition of Works by Morihiro Hosokawa 🖌️
📅 28 March (Sat) – 5 April (Sun)
🕐 9:00–16:30
📍 Izumi Shrine Office
○ｏ｡..:*･ ･*:..｡ｏ○
#SuizenjiSeisui-enFestival
#DiscoverHigoHosokawaCulture

Kirk here with some unfortunate news. I'm glad to say, though, that some people are pushing back. I'll put the citation in a comment but first here's a translation by Claude.
--- start translation ---
50 Attend Anti-Immigration Policy Demo... Nationwide Simultaneous Action
Monday, March 23, 2026
On March 22, anti-immigration policy demonstrations were held at 18 locations across the country. In Kumamoto City, where the number of foreign residents has been increasing, a rally was also held in which approximately 50 people voiced opposition to policies being advanced by the government. This was the third such event in Kumamoto, following one on November 30 of last year.
At the rally held near the "Kumamoto Machinaka Bicycle Parking – Shinshigai" facility in Chuo Ward, participants spoke in a relay-microphone format. Organizer "Bani" (pseudonym) stated: "We are not calling for the expulsion of foreigners. We are opposed to the immigration policy being pushed by the government. Are we not seeing multiculturalism being forced upon us? While Japanese people are struggling, it is wrong to spend large sums of tax money bringing in foreigners."
Afterward, the participants marched from the Shimotori Arcade to Kumamoto City Hall carrying banners reading "Oppose Immigration Policy" and similar messages. The demonstration appeared to target Kumamoto Prefecture (Governor Kimura Takashi), which has announced plans to accept foreign workers for household support services, and Kumamoto City (Mayor Onishi Kazufumi), which granted permission for a venue where Muslims held an "Eid al-Adha" festival at Ninomaru Plaza last June. Chants included "Kumamoto's mayor should listen to the citizens!" and "Protect Japanese jobs!"
Meanwhile, several counter-demonstrators gathered around the venue holding placards reading "Kumamoto is a city that coexists with immigrants," "Discrimination kills people," and "Discrimination is shameful." There were moments of heated exchanges between counter-demonstrators and rally participants.
(Editorial staff – Miyazaki Taiki)

Kirk here. This One Piece exhibition will last until May 24.
Quake recovery exhibition opens in Kumamoto with ‘One Piece’ tie-in
The exhibition showcasing reconstruction efforts after the April 2016 earthquakes runs from Friday through May 24.

Kirk here. I was near the castle today and was surprised to see the cherry blossoms on some trees nearly in full bloom. On other trees, the flowers were much fewer and farther between.

Kirk here. Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9AM Kumamoto Kogyo takes on Osaka Toin, a school with a history of doing well in the Koshien tournament.
総合力に優れる大阪桐蔭、熊本工は堅守生かせるか　第6日の見どころ：朝日新聞
　（第98回選抜高校野球大会1、2回戦　第6日〈24日〉の見どころ。丸数字は試合順）　①熊本工―大阪桐蔭　10度目の甲子園大会優勝を狙う大阪桐蔭は総合力が高い。エース右腕の吉岡貫介に加え、力のある左腕…

Kirk here. This has gotten a fair amount of coverage in Japan. At first, I had trouble verifying it in English but I was finally able to do so. The overall rating for the airport is 4 stars (out of 5) and there are airports in the world with that 5 of 5 rating. But, for a little regional airport. I think Aso Kumamoto Airport is doing quite well.
https://skytraxratings.com/2026-world-airport-awards-are-announced

Kirk here. The other day Hari posted about Kumamoto-ben. (Thanks Hari! Enjoyed the post!) Here's my dialect related news item, translated and adapted by Claude AI.
--- start translation ---
"Please Say It in Japanese" — Grand Sumo's "Too Real" Kumamoto Dialect Commentary Leaves Fans Baffled: "I Can't Understand You" / "Give Us Subtitles"
Grand Sumo | March 20, 2026, 9:10 PM
---
THE MATCH
Grand Sumo Spring Tournament — Day 13 — March 20 — Edion Arena, Osaka
A head-to-head match between two wrestlers from Kumamoto Prefecture had a fellow Kumamoto native providing commentary — in gloriously full-throttle Kumamoto dialect. The result was a warmly chaotic moment, with fans pleading "wakarante (わからんて) — I can't understand you!" and "jimaku dashite (字幕出して) — put up subtitles!"
---
THE MATCH-UP
The bout featured Fujiaoun (Fujishima stable), a newcomer ranked at maegashira 13, against Shōdai (Tōitsukaze stable), a former ōzeki now ranked at maegashira 8. Fujiaoun is from Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City; Shōdai is from Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture — making this a true hometown showdown.
---
ENTER THE COMMENTATOR
Providing color commentary on ABEMA was Tenkaihou, also from Kumamoto — specifically Tamana City — a former maegashira himself. Before the match he said:
「藤青雲は中学校の後輩で、近所で子供の時から知ってます。頑張ってもらいたいところではあるんですけど、正代も同郷ですから、この取組楽しみです」
"Fujiaoun was my junior at middle school, and I've known him since we were kids in the neighborhood. I want him to do well, but Shōdai is from home too, so I'm really looking forward to this bout."
---
THE DIALECT MOMENT
Play-by-play announcer Seino Shigeki then asked:
「取組への期待を熊本弁で言うとしたら？」
"How would you express your excitement for the match in Kumamoto dialect?"
Tenkaihou delivered, without missing a beat:
「なんさん ふたっともですね、けがせんごつですね。がんばってもらいちゃあって気持ちはあっとばってんですね」
Breaking it down:
- なんさん ふたっとも (nansan futattomo) = とにかく二人とも = "Anyway, both of them"
- けがせんごつ (kega sen gotsu) = けがをしないように = "So that they don't get injured"
- がんばってもらいちゃあって (gambatte moraichaatte) = 頑張ってもらいたい = "I want them to give it their all"
- あっとばってん (atto baten) = あるんですけどね = "That's how I feel, but..."
Full meaning: "Anyway, I want both of them to give it everything they've got without getting hurt."
Announcer Seino applauded: "さすがネイティブ！(Sasuga neitivu!) — A true native speaker!" To which Tenkaihou laughed:
「大丈夫ですか（笑）？　けっこう自分かなりコテコテの。地元がそうなんですよ、熊本弁すごくて」
"Are you okay with that? (laughs) Mine is pretty thick. That's just what my hometown is like — the Kumamoto dialect there is really intense."
---
THE MATCH ITSELF
In the bout, Shōdai came out with strong forward pressure from the charge, worked in a left-arm underhold (sashi), and drove hard toward the edge — but at the rope, Fujiaoun executed a stunning last-moment twisting throw-down (tsukiotoshi) for a dramatic reversal. Fujiaoun earned his 9th win; Shōdai suffered his 6th loss. The arena erupted.
---
MORE DIALECT COMMENTARY
Reviewing the replay, Tenkaihou kept the dialect going:
「正代に左差されたけんが、タツキ（藤青雲）もやびゃーねーと思ったんですよ。ばってん、一回振っとってから右から突き落とし。このタイミング良かったですね」
Breaking it down:
- 〜けんが (ken ga) = 〜だから / 〜ので = "because / since"
- やびゃーねー (yabyā nē) = やばいよね / まずいよね = "That's bad, isn't it / Uh oh"
- ばってん (batten) = だけど / でも = "But / However"
Full meaning: "Since Shōdai got his left arm in, I thought Tatsuki (Fujiaoun) was in real trouble. But he shook him off once and then went for the throw-down from the right. The timing on that was great."
Announcer Seino reflected: 「熊本弁で聞くとまた違った印象がありますね」
"Hearing it in Kumamoto dialect gives it a whole different feel."
---
FAN REACTIONS
Tenkaihou's humor-filled dialect commentary charmed fans — though many threw up their hands:
- 「わからんて」— "I can't understand you!" (itself Kumamoto/Kyushu dialect for わからないよ)
- 「字幕出して」— "Put up subtitles!"
- 「日本語でお願いします」— "Please say it in Japanese!" (the joke being: he technically was)
- 「わかるようでわからんｗ」— "I kind of get it but kind of don't lol"
- 「そろそろ標準語で…」— "Maybe standard Japanese now..."
(Source: ABEMA / Grand Sumo Channel)
「日本語でお願いします」大相撲、“ガチすぎる”熊本弁解説にファン困惑「わからんて」「字幕出して」 | 大相撲 | ABEMA TIMES | アベマタイムズ
＜大相撲三月場所＞◇十三日目◇20日◇大阪・エディオンアリーナ　熊本出身力士同士の直接対決で、同郷の解説者が“愛あふれる”熊本弁解説を披露。その内容に「わからんて」「字幕出して」とファンが困惑する“ほっ....

Kirk here with an AI translation of something I found interesting. It rings true to me because I've had the pleasure of meeting some young people from other countries as they walk to work in a nearby hospital.
Foreign Care Workers in Kumamoto Prefecture Reach 1,107 — A Thousand-Person Increase in Five Years
2024-12-06
Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun
Article Summary
The number of foreign nationals working in care facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture has grown from 134 in fiscal year 2019 to 1,107 in fiscal year 2024. Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines are the most common countries of origin, and approximately 60% of these workers hold "Specified Skilled Worker" residency status. The prefecture has begun offering rent subsidies to facilities that employ foreign care workers, and is working to further strengthen its capacity to receive them.
Against a backdrop of nationwide labor shortages in the care sector, Kumamoto Prefecture is projected to face a shortfall of 4,820 care workers in fiscal year 2026 and 9,554 by fiscal year 2040, making foreign workers an increasingly vital part of the workforce.

Kirk here with a translation of news about recent tremors.
--- start of ChatGPT translation ---
A series of earthquakes continuing in southern Kumamoto Prefecture is believed to be a “swarm,” possibly indirectly linked to the Hinagu Fault Zone, experts say, urging residents to prepare for further shaking.
Seismic activity has intensified over the past several days. At around 4:44 a.m. on March 18, an earthquake measuring intensity 3 was recorded in Minamata City and Tsunagi Town.
Since March 15, the area has experienced one intensity 4 quake, one intensity 3, four intensity 2, and seventeen intensity 1 tremors.
Professor Shinji Tōno of Tohoku University, who studies earthquakes including the 2016 Kumamoto quake, says the pattern points to a swarm rather than aftershocks.
“At first, it seemed like aftershocks from the March 15 quake,” he said. “But the continued occurrence of many small earthquakes in the same location over several days suggests a swarm.”
The region lies near the Hinagu Fault Zone, which the government classifies as “S-rank,” indicating a high likelihood of a major earthquake within 30 years.
However, Professor Tōno says the current activity is probably not occurring directly along the main fault.
“While it may not be on the Hinagu Fault itself, the area contains many smaller faults, so there could be an indirect connection,” he said.
He warns that moderate earthquakes can occur during swarm activity and is calling on residents to remain prepared.
--- end of translation ---
熊本県南部で続く揺れは「群発地震」　日奈久断層とは〝間接的に関連〟か　専門家「揺れに備えを」（RKK熊本放送） - Yahoo!ニュース
ここ数日、熊本県南部で地震が相次いでいます。今日（3月18日）も午前4時44分ごろに、水俣市と津奈木町で震度3を観測する地震がありました。 この付近では3月15日から今日までに震度4と震度3をそれ

The Kengun Self-Defense Force base is in the news as the site of new long-range missiles that can reach the Asian mainland. I guess that puts us in the crosshairs once missiles start flying. - William
Long-range missile launchers shown in southwestern Japan before deployment
The Defense Ministry held an exhibition of missile launchers and other equipment Tuesday at a Ground Self-Defense Force garrison in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, ahead of a long-range missile deployment scheduled for March 31. The first such deployment comes as Japan seeks to acquire counterstrike c...

Kirk here. I once had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ono. My impression was favorable. Nonetheless, as he himself admits, 152 kph cannot be condoned.
City mayor in western Japan has driver's license suspended for speeding | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
A city mayor in western Japan has had his driver's license suspended for 90 days for driving well above the speed limit on an expressway.

Kirk here with some strange local news. By the way, this driver survived but don't try to keep driving like this guy if your sweet potato truck catches fire. Parking and standing back is a much better strategy (though you get more views on YouTube if you keep driving ;) ).
I guess this is a rare case of someone delivering the fire to the fire station so the fire station didn't have to come and find him.
I Can't Stop Watching Video Of This On-Fire Japanese Sweet Potato Truck Blasting Through Red Lights To Get To A Fire Station - The Autopian
Japanese social media is buzzing with videos of a sweet potato truck engulfed in flames driving down the road to find a fire station.

Our friend Megan Pavlak announces another meeting of the Kumabon, Kumamoto's international book club. She mentions that you need not have read the book - it is the discussion that is important. - William