Posts

Sean here -
Season of giving, why not give a gift of life?
Your blood- giving a new meaning to blood relationships
😉.
My favorite blood bank for donations is the Red Cross on the 5th floor of Cocosa.
The process for the first timer is a little bit more time-consuming than subsequent visits. Mostly, you will need to prove your identity using your driver’s license, My Number card, passport, etc., and ask health-related questions. They will scan your finger (used to verify your identity for future donations), and you are registered.
Don’t worry about your language skills, my Japanese is minimal, and I managed. The staff enjoys the challenge. Having just completed my 13th donation, language has never been an issue.
This link does a better job of explaining the process.
https://blog.tokyoroomfinder.com/living-in-japan/giving-blood-in-japan/#:~:text=If%20it%20is%20your%20first,give%20blood%20in%20the%20future.
So, I will leave you with this. It is easy. All my experiences have been wonderful. The staff, intake people, and everyone involved is kind and professional.
Bonus, they give you a thank-you gift. Toothpaste and toothbrush are the most common.
Bonus, bonus, after a week or two, you get a detailed report about your blood -see pic
Another Bonus - Currently at Cocosa, there is a pop-up shop of local merchants, artisans, and craftspeople displaying and selling their wares. -see pic
Another, another bonus, I will be subbing in for Santa on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th if you want to bring the kids by for a picture.
Shop locally, donate blood, and hang out with Santa.
What a holiday combination.

Kirk here with news about plans for Kumamoto University's new TSMC-related faculty:
"It is the first time for the university to establish a new division equivalent to a faculty since it was founded in 1949. The division, tentatively called the School of Informatics, will have an enrollment capacity of 60."
I posted about an RKK report about this a while back:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid028R2W4ZHzYMhQ27BEjaUYfHk45ZFnfEq9TE8KjqWoFuuAdGL3h8421BJSA4p2LaZel
I that report, "DX" (digital transformation) was a buzzword used in the article and there was talk about educating "DX人材" (DX people). This article and another Asahi article on the same topic in Japanese are free from such meaningless buzzwords and focus on what will actually be taught, thank goodness.

Japanese
https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQCZ5GKMQCZTLVB006.html
English
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14787180
Chip technology at heart of new courses offered in Kumamoto | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
KUMAMOTO--Kumamoto University announced it will offer courses specializing in semiconductors to help restore Japan’s former reputation as a powerhouse in the field.

Ruth AKA Rudolph here!! Thank you to everyone who came to today's Mini Marche - Part I 🎁✨🎄🛍🗳 チーム トナカイ is steadily moving closer towards their yearly fundraising target to buy gifts for 300+ children and staff at 7 care homes and orphanages in Kumamoto!!! 🎶 So, tomorrow afternoon we will hold another Mini Marche at Sunatori Community Center - 砂取地域コミュニティセンター 6-29 神水本町 ✨🦌🦌🦌🦄🦌 Drop by between 1-5pm!
It's right by Ezuko (八丁馬場 tram stop) so come browse our Christmas items and other bits'n bobs, fill your ECO TUMBLER with a hot drink, stroll about Ezuko afterwards, and generally help spread the good vibes and fill yourself up on Christmas cheer!!! 💝 https://fb.me/e/2jznHMaGp
熊本の7つの児童養護施設の300人+の子供たちとスタッフにプレゼントを買うための募金目標に近づいています!!!! しかし、目標達成を確実にするために、今週末に最後の追い込みが必要です✊ 明日、午後1時から5時の間に砂取CCにお越しください。これまでご協力いただいた皆様、本当にありがとうございました 💗
A big THANK YOU to those who have made donations via the JP PO or in person, as well as those who donated some lovely handmade goods and other items to sell in exchange for donations!
We've also had some local members of the foreign community generously contribute their time and efforts to raise funds, namely through a Christmas Escape Room experience and sales of original-design Christmas cards 👌 So, much thanks to everyone who has helped out so far!!!

Kirk here with old news in a different package, with a few more details for those of you who might be interested.
Tim Cook and Greg Joswiak visit Kumamoto Japan | AppleInsider
Apple CEO Tim Cook and SVP of Marketing Greg Joswiak took a trip to the Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Japan, to visit students and landmarks.

Kirk here with a follow-up to yesterday's post about the time that Apple's Tim Cook spent in Kumamoto. It seems that the CEO was not the only Apple executive who came to Kumamoto. Greg “Joz” Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, was also in town and stopped by the Prefectural University of Kumamoto to visit Dr. Ichiro Iimura and his students. Prof. Iimura is featured on Apple's website:
https://www.apple.com/education/higher-education/innovation-in-action/#doctor-ichiro
I found the link on the professor's Twitter page, which has more about the Apple luminary's visit:
https://twitter.com/iimuralab
Actually, I learned about Prof. Iimura through a newspaper article about an app his students built called IKOU. I'll post about that separately -- probably tomorrow.

Kirk here reporting that Tim Cook, CEO of the 5th largest company in the world by revenue (Apple, Inc), was in Kumamoto last night and today. This is just one of his tweets about his visit. Go to his Twitter account to see more.
Tim Cook on Twitter
“Great to be back in Japan! Visited the historic Kumamoto Castle and learned about their work to restore this incredible landmark. 🇯🇵”

Ruth here with an opportunity for kids to get involved in a local stage production with 'Casa de Arte' in Suizenji 💃🎶🕺💓
Casa de Arte will have a show in June 2023, at Harmony・熊本市男女共同参画センターはあもにい in Kurokami, and, so, they are looking for dedicated kids (3 to17-years-old) to enroll in regular Argentinian Tango dance lessons with the intention of being in the performance next June. As well a various dance routines, young performers will also learn songs in Spanish!!
Discounts are available for siblings. But, please note that, as well as the regular monthly tuition fee, there is a substantial one-time payment required for participating in the actual production. This seems to be the norm in Japan and it helps contribute to the costume and set costs, hall rental fees and other production overheads. When I did 日本舞踊 here I found this out in a rather offhand way just weeks before our show, so please check the particulars well in advance!!
Contact Hernan Gomez for more info on the cost and time commitment, etc. 💡 3 歳から 17 歳までの子供を募集します！
さまざまなアルゼンチン タンゴ ダンスやアートを学び、スペイン語で歌います。 2023年6月のはあもにいメインホールでのショーのために、コンテンポラリー ダンスやアルゼンチンのフォークロレの踊りも学びます:
www.casa-de-arte.co🎶
カサデアルテ 賑やかに活動！
「生きることは、全て芸術活動 。」 ―踊ることでの表現だけでなく、 日常の会話、行動を通して、真の自分のあり方を常に追求しながら生き 、分かち合いたい、との思いでスタジオ名を 「tango fever studio」から「Casa de arte....

In a nutshell, Mr. Nishikawa has been working to promote peace and understanding by serving free coffee to passersby in locations throughout the world. To see him in action, please look at the following YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZLCqcicVdI
I really hope you will take the time to look at this video. I promise to give you your money back if you are sorry you did. ;)
I found this on the following webpage, which is an English-language interview with him about his activities:
[INTERVIEW] Just with a bicycle and coffee. “can we be free from money?”
https://www.soenportland.co/story-en/31fuxjia6irkdikwc5bea6jl85jpwb
Mr. Nishikawa is doing this in Kumamoto City now. If you see him offering you free coffee, please stop and talk to him. I can't wait to meet him myself but haven't yet had the pleasure or doing so.
P.S. Here's the link to RKK's report:
「よかったら飲んでいきませんか？」無料でコーヒーを配る男性　世界を巡ってたどり着いた生き方
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/222764?display=1

Fiona here, sharing some Kumamoto news from Fukuoka Now. After almost three years we will finally have some international flights from Kumamoto Airport beginning in January 2023. The T-Way flight to Seoul Incheon is the first to resume.
International Flights Resume at Other Kyushu Airports | Fukuoka Now
International passenger flights are returning to Kyushu-based airports. T’way Air’s Kumamoto-Incheon route is slated to resume on Jan. 5, 2023;

Kirk here with a connection between Kumamoto and national / international news. Takashi Shiraishi, who is currently chancellor of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto, has an impressive resume. He was at Kyoto University before coming to Kumamoto in 2018. He's in the news now as chair of the "International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons." You can read about that group here:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press3e_000514.html
As the page indicates, former U.S. President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General António Guterres participated in recent meetings of the group (their first).
Here's a quote from the page where featuring a photo of Takashi Shiraishi and Angela Kane laying a wreath:

--- start quote ---
Representing the experts, Takashi Shiraishi, chancellor of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto, and former U.N. Undersecretary General Angela Kane laid flowers at the cenotaph for the victims of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, in the closing days of World War II.Shiraishi serves as chair of the two-day meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons, or IGEP, which started Saturday.
--- end quote ---
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20221211-76424/

Kirk here with a followup to my recent post about this issue:
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14789684?fbclid=IwAR0-LvTov0vO76Vg_D5VbZkH_sIqdzi45y8AizsvOq6OpEjihfXL8LLIzIg
Here's a link to what I posted the other day:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid028YT2cTVrxDEgcHBYGsQ8DtkFiAfM1gvsxNUPWrz6NSDMmcAhzbRk4xyAWcSq1Pw9l
Supreme Court to review case of abandoned stillborn twins | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
The Supreme Court has signaled it might overturn a guilty verdict against a Vietnamese technical intern trainee who abandoned her stillborn twins.

Atsuko here with Yatsushiro one day bus trip information.
Unfortunately, only foreigners who can speak Japanese are accepted, but it is a very attractive tour.
The original web page is only available in Japanese, but I attached a Google translated version.
If I were a foreigner, I'd get in for free too.٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و♪
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Sunday, February 19, 2023! Yatsushiro City, Ashikita Town, and Hikawa Town Day Trip Bus Monitor Wanted!
Eligibility
Foreign residents of Kumamoto Prefecture who are 18 years old or older
Those who can communicate in Japanese.
Those who are willing to fill out a questionnaire at the end of the tour.
Tour type: Day trip
Capacity: 30 people (minimum 10 people)
Tour fee: 0 yen
Transportation to and from the meeting place is at your own expense.
Meet at Yatsushiro Station and disperse.
Application deadline: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
*If there are too many applicants, a drawing will be held.
*If there are too many applicants, a drawing will be held to determine the winners.
Citrus Tourism Region Promotion Council (Yatsushiro City, Hikawa Town, Ashikita Town)
↓Click here to visit the website for the call for participants
https://www.his-j.com/kokunai/kyushu/kumamoto_bus/
https://www-his--j-com.translate.goog/kokunai/kyushu/kumamoto_bus/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
熊本｜八代市・芦北町・氷川町バスツアーモニター募集【HIS 九州発】
【HIS 九州発】熊本の魅力発見！かんきつ類の栽培が盛んな八代市・芦北町・氷川町の見どころを巡る日帰りバスモニターツアーを開催！熊本県内在住の外国人の方が対象！

Kirk here with news about Kumamoto Yataimura (熊本屋台村). I was completely unaware of the establishment of this collection of yatai (food stalls?) until I saw a brief segment on TV about how the number one word used in combination with 熊本 (Kumamoto) to search on Google this year was 屋台村 (Yataimura). Then, I happened to be downtown yesterday, and there it was (the photo you see is one I took with my phone).
I searched on the web and was able to find a list of five top searches with 熊本 here (see attached screenshot):
https://kurumefan.com/google-ranking2022#47-4
Yataimura looks very inviting, but I didn't have time to eat there. Anyone willing to report on your experiences there?
By the way, number five on the list is Yes Mart, a new Korean food store.

Atsuko here. I have been a big fan of theirs for three years now, and I am happy to announce that they will be having a show in Kumamoto City.It's been a while since there was one.
ピエロック一座 Pierock circus
https://www.facebook.com/pierockcircus/
They will be performing a puppet, marionettes show with songs, music. They use handmade puppets and karakuri tools. The circus tent is also handmade by them. The players play guitar and violin while moving the puppets.
The tent standing in the midst of the autumn leaves of Lake Ezu is also somewhat Christmas-like.
ON THE PARK
https://maps.app.goo.gl/E9WZgkpjCaooGqrRA
I went at noon today, but there will be another one this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. and another one tomorrow at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. on the 11th.
Admission is free, no reservations required, and tipping system. He tells the story in Japanese, but you don't have to understand Japanese to enjoy the puppet play, music and songs. I am sure their stage will entertain many children, couples, and adults.
I share this with the hope that their style will be seen again in everywhere as the Corona season settles down a bit.(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡

William While Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation's (TSMC) expansion into Kumamoto (it's also been twined with their expansion into Arizona - this article is a good primer on the type of business they do: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/06/business/tsmc-arizona-investment/index.html that expansion has not been without sacrifice. Previously noted has been water. Semiconductor manufacturing is a notoriously water-intensive business and likely one reason why Kumamoto was chosen: the company is expected to use 1.2 million tons of water per day, and while much of that can be expected to be recycled, it will likely put a dent in our prefecture's abundant aquifers. More about that here: https://kumanichi.com/articles/730090
Today, Kumanichi reports on TSMC-dependent supplier expansion into agricultural land surrounding the now-under-construction plant. The area around the plant is mostly used for dryland crops such as barley - ironically, due to lack of surface waterflow (though artisanal water is abundant, it is expensive to pump for paddy farming).
Change is difficult, and seeing that swath of beautiful farmland changed to industrial park will be felt as a loss for some - though not for the 3,000+ the facilities are expected to employee. More here (pictured: likely soon-to-vanish Kikuyo grain silo):
Yahoo!https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/120bb294a59c1f6de3245d5a2fa78f6800115d13

(Fiona) Final call for people wanting to support the escape room fundraiser for Team Tonakai!
Tom Taniguchi's Christmas Quest has had six teams play since it opened at the end of November, raising 13,000 yen so far. Anyone looking to spend an hour of festive fun with friends, family, students or coworkers - please contact me as soon as possible to book a timeslot before the donations deadline.
The game takes place in Higashi-ku, about 10 minutes walk from the prefectural office and Densha-dori, and costs 1000 yen per player (500 yen for children and students) with 75% of the money going to the fundraiser.
Thanks to everyone who has shown their support so far, especially those who took the plunge and tried an escape game for the first time.
To make a reservation, send a message to the Kumamoto-i inbox or directly to me via Messenger (Fiona Wall Minami).

Kirk here with an update on Le Thi Thuy Linh's case:
--- start quote ---
The defense team appealed to the Supreme Court. The top court has decided to hear arguments from both sides in February next year. The defendant said in a statement that she is very happy to hear the news. She said she hopes the justices will listen to what she has to say and acquit her.An organization supporting foreign technical trainees has been collecting signatures seeking her acquittal.
--- end quote ---
This renews my faith in Japan's judicial system!
Japan's top court to review case of abandonment of twin baby bodies | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Japan's Supreme Court has decided to hear arguments from the defense team and prosecutors over a case in which a Vietnamese technical trainee allegedly abandoned the bodies of stillborn twins she gave birth to. The decision suggests the lower courts' guilty verdicts could be overturned.

William Reposting something I wrote on my private page. Kumamoto University Hospital requires a referral from another hospital for treatment - a sign at the entrance states "No walk-ins allowed." However, once in, the treatment is world-class. That we see the same doctor each time (a young, passionate guy) is important as he gets to know quite well his patient. The nurses in the chemo ward are extremely cheerful - the ward rings with their laughter, a sign of a good working environment.
Let's hope you're never ill enough to go there - but be relieved that, if worst happens, we have that wonderful hospital.

Kirk here sharing a post to the "Community" page of Kumamoto International from Lily M. The Community page is where posts to the page go when they are made by someone who isn't registered as an editor.
There's one more post on that page that I need to share like this. Sometimes I don't notice right away when a new post is dropped in so if you've posted and you'd like me to share it (more eyeballs, you know), drop me a line. :)
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/8270137816392911

Kirk here with a historical puzzle. It seems that a bathing area that was hidden in a basement in some part of Hitoyoshi Castle. There's speculation about whether or not it has connections to a Jewish mikveh or to the Myoken sect of Buddhism. My biggest takeaway from the article is that it is quite unique and that's what's making scholars scratch their heads. Conjecture about a connection to Judaism strikes me as rather tenuous and far fetched but it's interesting to me that the possibility of such a connection is even being considered. (The idea is that conversos [Jews forced to convert Christianity] who came to Japan with other Europeans might have had something to do with the bath.)
Experts baffled by mystery of old bathing facility in castle ruins | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
HITOYOSHI, Kumamoto Prefecture--Experts are still at a loss why a rectangular bathing area existed in a basement, which was discovered within the premises of the ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle here a quarter of a century ago.