As we enter April, the cherry blossoms have finally begun to bloom—much later than expected this year. The streets are filled with fresh-faced new employees, and as always, this season brings a renewed sense of energy and optimism.
On the other hand, 2025 began with major upheavals. On New Year’s Day, a devastating earthquake struck the Noto region, followed the very next day by a tragic plane crash at Haneda Airport. Meanwhile, political corruption has reached new lows, as symbolized by the ruling party’s organized slush fund scandal. Even just looking at Japan, the year has gotten off to a turbulent start.
Globally, things are equally unsettling. The war between Ukraine and Russia continues with no end in sight, and Israel’s assault on Gaza shows no signs of stopping. In parallel, the explosive rise of generative AI is rapidly transforming industries and societies at a speed no one could have imagined. It feels as though both Japan and the world are entering a period in which the old order is collapsing, paving the way for a new one to emerge.
Now more than ever, we must resist the pull of daily routines that lull us into complacency. It’s essential to take a step back and consider the long-term direction of the times we’re living in—and to prepare ourselves to act with awareness and intention in response to the transformations that lie ahead.