A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  It is best to travel while you can. As we grow older, especially after retirement, travel can gradually feel more like a chore, and the desire to explore often fades—though, of course, this varies from person to person. In surveys of older adults in Japan, one of the most common reflections is, “I wish I had traveled more and experienced different parts of the world.” Perhaps due to my profession and my love of travel, I have been fortunate to journey both within Japan and abroad more than the average person. As AI continues to advance, simply acquiring knowledge will not be enough. To live meaningfully alongside AI, we will need rich human experiences—moments filled with joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness across diverse environments. Through such experiences, we gain wisdom and deepen our understanding of ourselves. In this sense, travel offers far more than pleasant memories; it provides valuable opportunities for growth. For that reason, I especially encourage young people to t...

  In Japanese, there is an onomatopoeic expression, “pinpin korori.” It describes a life in which one remains healthy and independent until the very end (pinpin), then passes away suddenly and naturally, without prolonged suffering (korori). Many elderly people in Japan regard this as an ideal way to depart, reflecting a wish to avoid burdening family and loved ones in later years. In reality, however, only about 10 to 20 percent of people are able to experience such an ending. My life motto has long been to “live without regrets,” but as I grow older, I find myself consciously adding “pinpin korori” to that aspiration. The fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms—briefly in full bloom before quickly fading—embodies a sense of purity and evokes the Buddhist idea of impermanence, a cornerstone of Japanese aesthetics. In this way, the notion of “pinpin korori” carries, for me, a similar quiet elegance.

  Sometimes, when I notice a flowering plant by the roadside, I sense its quiet strength and resilience—always reaching forward and living fully in its own way. If we cultivate our powers of observation, awareness, intuition, and imagination, and use them positively, we can greatly deepen what we learn from nature.

  Looking back on my life, I am convinced that whenever I faced difficulties, they offered valuable opportunities to learn what I lacked and to grow as a person. Even now, as a senior, I cannot avoid such challenges, and I try to see them as chances for further growth. In reality, however, there are times when long-ingrained immaturity and personal shortcomings prevent me from changing my patterns of perception and behavior, likely leading to less desirable outcomes. Elevating one’s character in reason and virtue is far from easy, and it remains a meaningful challenge even in later years.

  Most people are easily motivated by immediate gains or losses. However, even when we tell ourselves that we are dedicating our time selflessly, without expecting anything in return, and striving to accumulate virtue, sustaining such motivation without a visible endpoint is far from easy. If we push ourselves too hard, we simply cannot continue. Therefore, we must act within reasonable limits, guided by wisdom and ingenuity.

  The petals of the Somei Yoshino cherry blossom are a delicate pale pink, easily scattered by wind and rain, giving them a fleeting blooming period of about a week. During this time, cloudy or rainy weather is common, and the soft color of the petals often blends into the gray sky, muting their vibrancy. However, when viewed or photographed against the dark trunk of the cherry tree on such days, the petals stand out, revealing a different kind of beauty. This reminds us that beauty is rarely absolute or fixed; it is often shaped by contrast, perspective, and surroundings. For some, even the subtle blending of petals into a cloudy sky holds its own quiet charm, echoing the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi—the appreciation of imperfection and transience.