Japan to gift 250 cherry trees to US, prime minister says
Japan will gift 250 cherry trees to the United States in honor of celebrations to mark 250 years since America’s founding, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday.
“To have a magnificent celebration, we will extend a gift of 250 cherry trees to Washington, D.C.,” Takaichi said during a meeting with President Trump at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.
Takaichi said fireworks from Japan will also be shown in Washington, D.C., on July 4 next year.
Japan first donated 2,000 cherry trees to the United States during the Taft administration. The trees line the Tidal Basin near the National Mall and attract thousands of visitors each year when they blossom.
The gift was announced during Trump’s working meeting with Takaichi, who last week officially became Japan’s first female prime minister. The two leaders signed agreements on the processing of critical minerals and on pledging cooperation toward a “golden age” of Japan-U.S. relations.
Celebrations kicked off this year for America250, a rolling celebration of the 250th anniversary since the founding of the United States.
Trump has frequently boasted about how he will preside over the America250 proceedings, which will culminate next summer with a fair on the National Mall featuring exhibits from every state. Other planned activities include celebrations of each military branch and an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House