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Ceremony to Plant Cherry Tree Saplings from Japan Held in Washington

Yukinobu Sakamoto / The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada, center, plants a cherry tree sapling in Washington on Friday.

By Yukinobu Sakamoto / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent

16:43 JST, April 11, 2026

WASHINGTON — A tree-planting ceremony was held in Washington on Friday, featuring cherry tree saplings that are part of Japan’s gift to the United States to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.

Officials from both the Japanese and U.S. governments and local children were among the ceremony’s attendees, who wished for friendship between the two nations.

The ceremony took place near the Potomac River, in an area known as a viewing site for cherry blossoms. Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada described the cherry trees standing there as a symbol of everlasting friendship between Japan and the United States. He also expressed hopes that these new cherry trees would unite the people of the two countries for many years to come.

Cherry blossoms in Washington have long been cherished as a symbol of Japan-U.S. friendship, dating back to 1912 when the then-city of Tokyo presented about 3,000 saplings. The Japanese government is currently proceeding with a plan to donate 250 cherry trees, and their planting will continue in the surrounding area.