The cherry blossom season will soon arrive, and with it the reflections and lessons that go with the yearly event. As Japan begins the season of enjoying the cherry blossoms, the differences from last year start to appear as well. Part of the excitement of spring comes from never quite knowing exactly when the blossoming peak will be, just as part of the effect comes from thinking about what the flowers may symbolize.

This year, a rivalry of sorts sprang up between the official Japan Meteorological Agency and the private company Weathernews. The two services use different methods for predicting the blossom peak: One relies on fully automated, scientific studies and the other on in-the-park human monitors taking cell-phone photos. Whichever is trusted more, the cherry blossom specialists seem more accurate than the economists, who failed to predict the current global economic crisis.

Regardless of the accuracy of predictions, one wonders how people will feel about this year's cherry blossoms. Will they serve as an optimistic symbol of spring's renewal, or as a bitter reminder of better times past? Sitting and viewing the blossoms may distract from financial worries for some while reminding others that there is more to life than just money. In these tough times, any consolation is welcome.