Tokyo Times

Cherry blossom season is understandably a big deal in Japan. The weather is warmer. The flowers are beautiful. And the booze flows like there’s no tomorrow. Or at the very least a tomorrow that doesn’t involve getting up early or doing anything particularly taxing.

But at the same time, it’s such a big deal that one must go out and celebrate it. And one must have a good time. No matter how difficult, or how bad an idea, that may be.

Japan’s economic outlook is far from rosy. Plus certainties of the past such as a job for life are long gone. But on graduation day at least, it’s a time for former students to embrace such uncertainty, and hope that the future will be just as colourful as their ceremonial hakama.

This year’s cherry blossom season may well have arrived almost freakishly early, but the couples, colours and contrasts remain an almost comforting constant.