Izumi Hill in the foothills of Osaka is in full bloom with spring. The cherry blossoms, which have just started to turn into leafy cherry trees, are in full bloom, and colorful tulips are blooming in profusion. The park, which was quiet in the past two years, has regained its liveliness. It would be great if the COVID-19 pandemic could end like this. However, today, North Korea conducted a ballistic missile test, and an evacuation warning was issued for Hokkaido. Fortunately, it fell far off the coast of Hokkaido and there got out of troubles, but it’s uncertain how and when it may hit the country accidentally. Looking at the history of past wars, there are many examples where wars began due to accidental causes. When thinking about the situation in Ukraine, which is experiencing repeated and tragic wars, Taiwan nearby, and North Korea today, the scene in front of us seems like an illusion.

大阪の山ふとこにある和泉の丘は春爛漫です。葉桜になり始めた桜は満開、前には色とりどりのチューリップが咲き乱れています。昨年、一昨年は閑散としていた園内は、それまでの賑わいが戻ってきています。コロナ禍もこのまま終息してくれればこの上ない事です。ただ、今日もそうですが、北朝鮮が弾道ミサイルの発射試験を行い、北海道には避難警報が出ました。幸い北海道の遥か沖合に落下し、ことなきを得ましたが、どんな拍子で国内に着弾するかしれません。過去の戦争の歴史をみても、偶発的な原因で戦争が始まったという例がたくさんあります。悲惨な戦争を繰り返しているウクライナの事、近くの台湾の事、そして今日の様な北朝鮮の事を考えると、目の前の光景が幻のの様に思えます。