We're just coming to the end of hanami (cherry blossom viewing season) in Japan. Something about those pink flowers coming out makes Japanese people go crazy. Just a week earlier, everyone at my work was sullen and depressed. I came into work the Monday after the flowers started blooming and I could've sworn everybody had been passing the hash pipe around, they were so giddy.

My Japanese friend told me it's also a busy season for ambulance staff - many people over do the alcohol while picnicking beneath the sakura, and have to be carted away to hospital.