Greeting— Unkai Sōten (“After the clouds, clear skies”)

In recent clinical encounters, I have increasingly heard the concerns of thoughtful individuals who fear that reckless actions by nations such as Russia and the United States could lead to a third world war or even nuclear catastrophe, threatening the survival of humanity. Many people are living with anxiety and sorrow in what feels like an era in which life and health are treated lightly.

In the middle years of the early 21st century, having already entered advanced old age, I myself faced a series of difficult circumstances. Extreme and relentless heat took a toll on both body and mind; contemporaries began to retire; and I experienced the loss of a respected mentor. I responded, to some extent, to consultations from friends regarding the closure of their clinics, yet I neglected my own situation. Aging, illness, and death are inevitable for all living beings. Nevertheless, as long as patients continue to seek care, I must find a way to sustain medical practice.

At a time when my spirits had sunk, unexpected support appeared. Dr. Yuriko Hayashi and Dr. Kazuhiko Kume, both board-certified specialists in sleep medicine, offered their assistance. Dr. Hayashi now sees patients on Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings. Dr. Kume, a molecular biologist with extensive experience in sleep medicine, will begin seeing patients on alternate Friday evenings starting in April 2026. It is for these reasons that I have taken up the pen to write this message for the first time in a decade.

The spring of 2026 feels as though it may mark a season of renewal and restoration.

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