This summer has once again brought extremely hot weather to Japan.

Europe has also been experiencing unusually intense heat, and it seems that even regions where air conditioning was once considered unnecessary may soon need it.

A major earthquake struck Kumamoto, reaching a magnitude of 7, and, sadly, lives were lost. In addition, France and Spain have suffered from large-scale wildfires, and the severe heat appears to be even worse than in previous years. I sincerely hope that the cooler days of autumn will arrive soon.

Looking back on Japan's history, our country has long endured many natural disasters, including earthquakes, fires, and tsunamis. Generation after generation, people have overcome these hardships with resilience. It would not be surprising if another major earthquake were to strike Tokyo someday. Beneath the Japanese archipelago, molten magma still flows deep underground. Over immense spans of time, the Earth itself continues to change, and perhaps in the distant future, entirely new celestial bodies will come into existence. The forces of nature are truly magnificent and far beyond human imagination.

Meanwhile, conflicts continue in many parts of the world. The war between Russia and Ukraine has still not come to an end.

The nature of warfare has changed dramatically. New technologies, including drones and unmanned underwater vehicles, are now playing major roles on the battlefield. Ukraine, in particular, has made remarkable advances in drone technology, attracting worldwide attention. Japan and many other countries will likely continue to study and adopt these new technologies as well. Yet I cannot help but worry that unless humanity finds a way to end war, technological progress will increasingly be directed toward military purposes, and human ambition could ultimately bring about great destruction.

In recent years, the U.S. dollar has strengthened considerably. The Japanese yen, once around 80 yen to the dollar, has weakened to over 160 yen. As a result, the value of the yen has declined relative to other currencies, and the prices of Japanese swords and other works of art have risen significantly.

Consequently, many visitors from overseas are coming to Japan to purchase fine art and traditional crafts. At the same time, appreciation for Japanese swords has deepened around the world, and the number of serious collectors continues to grow each year.

In Japan, many people still tend to regard Japanese swords primarily as dangerous weapons and try to keep children away from them. Overseas, however, it is common for parents to show Japanese swords to their children as important cultural treasures and works of art. I have often been impressed by this difference in perspective.

After the Second World War, Japan became a world leader in industries such as shipbuilding, chemical manufacturing, semiconductors, and automobiles. Today, however, international competition has become much more intense, and I sometimes feel that Japan's presence is not as strong as it once was.

Japan is also facing a serious labor shortage. Even though more women and senior citizens are participating in the workforce, the shortage of workers continues.

Japan's declining birthrate and aging population were predicted more than thirty years ago, yet I feel that sufficient measures were never taken. I hope our political leaders will pursue policies with a stronger long-term vision.

Looking back through history, many European nations, as well as Japan, once possessed colonies and governed territories overseas. After the Second World War, however, most of those territories gained their independence. It is remarkable to think how dramatically the world has changed in only a few hundred years.

Thanks to modern communication technologies, the world has become much smaller. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with both a Russian visitor and an American visitor while they were looking at Japanese swords in my shop. Although the world has become more connected, it also faces new international challenges.

Greenland, for example, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It is about six times the size of Japan, and approximately eighty percent of its land is covered by ice. Because of its abundant natural resources and the growing importance of Arctic shipping routes, it has attracted considerable international attention. I believe that such precious natural environments should be protected as a shared treasure for all humanity. I also believe that the international community must continue discussing how best to preserve peace and safeguard our common future.

Now, to all the grandfathers and grandmothers reading this, I hope you are doing well.

I have now reached the age of 86. These days, I often find myself visiting the hospital because of back pain, sore hips, and the simple effects of growing older. Even so, I remain grateful for each new day.

I hope you and your spouse continue to enjoy peaceful days together. Take time to visit a mountain stream, dip your feet into the cool water, and let nature refresh your body and mind. It is one of life's simple pleasures.

I also hope that children will grow up with kindness, cheerfulness, humility, and a deep appreciation for nature. Please spend time talking with your family, enjoy the outdoors together, and treasure the beauty of the natural world.

I believe these moments will bring warmth, happiness, and lasting memories to your lives.

Kazushige Tsututa