Each area of Kumamoto Prefecture has wonderful foods that have been made with knowledge and ingenuity by trial and error by older generations in a variety of circumstances. However, currently these local dishes have been disappearing from our lives. Thus it has become necessary to learn the characteristics, origins and preparation methods of local foods, and to pass these local foods on to future generations. Local foods in Japan have been developed in close relation to regular annual events. The development of such new dishes can be divided into four types: 1) existence of exceptional special agricultural products; 2) aftermath of plentiful harvests; 3) travel and interaction of people; and 4) part of events. With this in mind, this paper reports on research conducted by the author on local dishes and their ingredients in the Aso, Kamimashiki, Amakusa, Nankan,and Yatsusiro areas of Kumamoto Prefecture.

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The author attempted to improve the thinking ability of students in the classroom by conducting experimental lessons on the assumption that visual programming for learning can promote better thinking. It was found that students who took part in such lessons scored higher than before on a thinking comprehension verification test administered to participants. Results of a questionnaire survey to verify changes in self-awareness showed that self-evaluation scores for students improved on a large number of survey items. These results suggest that visual programming for learning can help promote the improvement of thinking ability.

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Refusing UBE (unsolicited bulk e-mail) using “antibadmail” has been done for years. In this paper, the author examined the UBE refusal log for a certain domain used for the author's private use over a period of 13 months. Monthly changes in the number of e-mails received and the acceptance rate of e-mail messages was recorded. In addition, monthly changes in the ratios of reasons for refusal were calculated and examined. After careful consideration of monthly changes and the relationship of the numbers to each other, it was only found that there were great differences between the numbers each month and that some months in particular had anomalies. As a result, it was not possible to make any definitive conclusions regarding general trends.

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