Dear Everyone,

How are you all doing?

Across Japan, the northern regions are experiencing heavy snowfall, while the Pacific side enjoys a spell of good weather. I feel sympathy for those in the north who must endure the severe cold and heavy snow. However, spring often arrives sooner than expected. The cherry blossoms will bloom soon, and the plum blossoms will follow shortly.

Last spring, I heard the beautiful song of the bush warbler. It visited the trees in a neighbor’s garden. The Japanese white-eye is easy to recognize due to the white ring around its eyes, but the bush warbler is elusive and hard to spot. However, near that house, I saw two warblers happily chirping together. Thinking that I might witness the same scene this year fills me with excitement.

Now, regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine, some believe that former U.S. President Trump’s efforts may be bringing it closer to an end. However, European countries such as the UK, France, Italy, and Germany are taking a more complicated stance. The United States has decided to withdraw from the war to avoid further financial burdens.

It remains unclear whether this war will truly come to an end. Negotiating a ceasefire with Russia is no easy task. European nations will likely continue to support Ukraine, perhaps because they have assessed Russia’s military strength as weaker than initially expected. Even if U.S. support diminishes, the fighting may continue.

Russia initially boasted that it would take over Ukraine in just two days, yet it has been struggling for three years. This demonstrates the intensity of Ukraine’s resistance. It is possible that Russia has begun to see cooperation with the U.S. as a more beneficial strategy. They may also be considering Trump’s proposal and seeking partial territorial concessions from Ukraine.

Going forward, the U.S. is expected to strengthen its policy of non-intervention in foreign wars. As a result, Japan may no longer be able to rely on American protection as it has in the past. Countries such as China, North Korea, and Russia might set their sights on Japan. In particular, we must be highly cautious of Russia and North Korea.

If Japan can no longer expect U.S. support, we must act carefully from now on. Economic power alone cannot solve these issues—we must take independent action. Whether we like it or not, this is the unavoidable reality.

Russia has long used the Northern Territories dispute to its advantage, repeatedly making promises like, "If you do this, we will return the land," only to never fulfill them. They are unlikely to return even a single island like Kaigara Island. Negotiations with Russia and North Korea must be approached with extreme caution.

For many years, Japan has relied on U.S. protection, but this war has made it painfully clear that such dependence alone is no longer sufficient. Regarding the Taiwan issue as well, Japan must be prepared to take responsibility and make the necessary efforts.

We must do everything possible to avoid war. However, if the time comes, we must also be prepared to stand firm. Since Trump’s rise, the global landscape has shifted significantly. We must remain acutely aware of these changes and navigate them with the utmost caution, as if walking on thin ice.

It is said that Earth has a history of approximately 4.4 billion years. Some believe that in another 4.4 billion years, it will explode, giving rise to a new planet. In the grand scale of time, our 100-year lifespan is nothing more than a fleeting moment.

In our daily lives, we eat, find joy, and sometimes face hardships, but eventually, we all depart into nothingness. And 4.4 billion years from now, even this planet itself will disappear.

The Earth's internal structure consists of three layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core. If we compare it to a boiled egg, the shell represents the crust, the egg white corresponds to the mantle, and the yolk symbolizes the core. It is fascinating to think about how Earth has continued to burn for 4.4 billion years without being extinguished.

Deep within the planet, magma continues to burn red-hot, sometimes causing volcanic eruptions. We live within this delicate balance.

And yet, on this very planet, wars are fought, and countless lives are lost.

Personally, I believe that I will leave this world within the next five years. But I do not see that as a bad thing. I have lived a fulfilling life.

To the younger generations, I hope you gain a wealth of experiences. As you grow older, you may face even harsher realities.

Please cherish the elderly and live harmoniously as couples. Occasionally, take a trip to a hot spring and enjoy a delicious meal together.

Children, in their own way, are remarkably resilient. Respect nature, experience its beauty, and appreciate its blessings. Enjoy the clear flow of rivers and be grateful for the water that sustains life.

"Kindness, Obedience, Cheerfulness, and Simplicity."

These are the words I was taught many times by my seniors in the Boy Scouts. Memories of semaphore signaling and campfires remain dear to me even now.

Kazushige Tsuruta