On Wednesday, Japan pledged to donate 250 cherry blossom trees to the United States to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. The news was announced by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to the White House, which symbolizes the deep bond between the two countries.
In response, Biden said: "Like our friendship, these trees are timeless, inspiring, and thriving. ”
According to British media on April 12, the origins of this friendship can be traced back to 1912, when the first lady of the United States, Helen Herron Tuft, and the wife of the Japanese ambassador to the United States, Viscountess Chinda, planted the first two Somei Yoshino cherry trees on the north bank of the tidal basin of the Potomac River.
These trees are a gift from Japan and symbolize the deep friendship between the two countries. Over the years, cherry blossoms have become an iconic sight in Washington, D.C., attracting more than a million visitors each spring.
However, over time, maintaining this symbol of friendship requires constant attention and care. The current restoration of the tidal basin seawall requires the removal of hundreds of aging cherry trees. The Tidal Basin, nestled in the tranquil waters next to the Jefferson Memorial, is the perfect backdrop for the cherry blossoms to bloom. Amid the hustle and bustle of the nation's capital, the beauty of nature offers a moment of tranquility and contemplation.
According to the British press, Japan's proposal to replace the trees demonstrates their firm commitment to the preservation of this symbol of eternal friendship.
The beauty of cherry blossoms lies not only in their appearance, but also in their deeper meaning. Japan's gift comes as President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida discuss the complex security situation in the Pacific. As the two leaders tackled these challenges, the cherry blossoms became a symbol of the strength and resilience of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
Reflecting on the historical significance of the diplomatic gift, senior U.S. officials highlighted the Statue of Liberty (presented by France as a symbol of freedom and democracy) and Japan's cherry blossom tree, two representative symbols of international friendship as one of the most iconic expressions the United States has received.
Kishida expressed confidence in the eternal bond between Japan and the United States, likening it to the eternal beauty of cherry blossoms. "I am confident that the cherry blossom-like bonds of the Japan-U.S. alliance will continue to grow deeper and stronger in the Indo-Pacific region and in all corners of the world," Kishida said. ”
Biden gratefully accepted the gift and recalled the cherished tradition of visiting cherry blossoms each spring. He recalled strolling on the White House lawn with the Prime Minister and his two wives, admiring newly planted seedlings and trees gifted more than a century ago.
"Every spring, the city is in full bloom of cherry blossoms, thanks to the 3,000 cherry blossom trees that Japan gifted more than a century ago," Biden said. People come from our country and all over the world to see these magnificent flowers. ”
It is worth noting that as the United States and Japan celebrate the renewal of friendship, the imminent removal of "Stumpy", an old cherry tree that stands on the south bank of the Tidal Basin, serves as a constant reminder of the passage of time and the continuous renewal and growth.