We are pleased that the Friendship Blossoms-Dogwood Tree Initiative was successfully completed in December 2015. The Bridging Foundation is honored to have partnered with the U.S. Department of State, corporate sponsors, and other organizations in this public-private partnership.
In 1912, Japan made a gift to the people of the United States of 3,000 cherry trees, which were planted in Washington DC. To commemorate the centennial of Japan’s gift, the U.S. Department of State launched the Friendship Blossoms-Dogwood Tree Initiative in 2012, with a gift of 3,000 American dogwood trees from the people of the U.S. to the people of Japan.
Thanks to our many corporate, government and community partners in the U.S. and Japan, 104 organizations applied to receive dogwood trees, resulting in 3,061 trees now planted at 84 sites throughout Japan, encompassing 30 prefectures from Okinawa north to Iwate, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Parks and the Tohoku region. 561 trees were planted at 16 sites in the Tohoku recovery region in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake to symbolize the U.S.’s continued support as the region rebuilds and renews.
Ambassador Kennedy hosted a reception on January 26, 2016, for all supporters who donated funds or received dogwood trees, including government officials from the prefectures and localities where Friendship Blossoms are planted.
Read the Friendship Blossoms-Dogwood Tree Initiative Blog or click on the links below to read about each of the plantings throughout Japan.
Chuubu Region Kyushuu and Okinawa Region
