Fukuoka Prefecture

Buzen City, “Dogwood Street”

In 2015, Buzen city celebrated the 60th Anniversary of its founding and opened a new highway connecting it with the rest of Kyushu. To commemorate the city's progress and development, 60 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted at the prefectural route. The space was renamed "Dogwood Street" as a welcoming door to the Buzen community and to always remember the gift.

Fukuoka City, Island City Central Park

On July 10, 2015, 30 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted in Island City Central Park in Fukuoka City. The park is a new symbol of Fukuoka City and an area developed as an advanced model in urban development. Fukuoka City and the U.S. have developed a strong ties through international cooperation. Not only is the U.S.  Consulate located in Fukuoka but the city also has two American sister cities: Oakland, CA and Atlanta, GA. In 2015, Fukuoka celebrated the 10th Anniversary of these sister city relationships through this commemorative planting.

Kama City, Kaho Elementary School and Kaho Junior High School

On February 10, 2015, 30 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted at Kaho Elementary School and Kaho Junior High School. Kama's ties with the U.S. go back over 100 years to the Showa period when Okuma Elementary received a doll called "Peggy" from an American school. The doll was protected over the many years that have passed and can be viewed on display at Kaho Elementary.

Kitakyushu City, Katsuyama Park

On April 16, 2014, 30 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted at Katsuyama Park in Kitakyushu City. The planting, held in celebration of Earth Day, was attended by the local government executives, including Mayor Kitahashi, as well as city officials involved in environmental and green initiatives. Representatives from the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka were represented as well, and in his remarks, Principal Officer Fedkiw described the deeply rooted friendship between the U.S. and Japan which has grown over the past 152 years. Kitakyushu City is known as Kyushu’s industrial heartland and Fukuoka Prefecture’s second largest city. Kitakyushu has implemented a dramatic clean-up of pollution from the local steel and manufacturing industries since the 1950s and was the first city in Asia to be designated by the OECD as an Environmental Model City. Four print and three broadcast outlets carried this first dogwood planting in Fukuoka prefecture, amplifying the message of the importance which the U.S. places on our enduring partnership.

Kurume City, Ishibashi Cultural Center, Urayama Park, JR Nighiguchi Park

Kurume began its sister city relationship with Modesto, CA in 1992. For over two decades, the two cities have engaged in numerous and annual exchanges, strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship. Each summer, 10 students from Kurume travel to Modesto and 10 students from Modesto travel to Kurume. In 2012, Modesto was gifted a cherry blossom tree from the Japanese government as a token of appreciation for its efforts to enhance relations. The same year, a delegation of 10 people including the Mayor of Modesto, Modesto Sister Cities President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and a music group visited Kurume to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of being Kurume's sister city. To commemorate the strong relationship, 20 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted in Kurume in March 2015.

Munakata city, Munakata YURIX

On March 25, 2015, 30 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted at Munakata YURIX, the largest public multi-purpose complex facility and area in Munakata City. Munakata YURIX is the city's symbol facility and over 1 million people visit it annually. Munakata City is dedicated to promoting international understanding among its citizens through exchange with foreign people. In 2012, U.S. Consulate Fukuoka worked with U.S. Embassy Tokyo and U.S. Navy Sasebo to donate picture books in English for the children of Munakata City. The planting of the dogwood trees symbolizes the strong cooperative relationship between Japan and the U.S. 

Yame City, Hotaru & Ishibashi-no-sato Park

On June 5, 2015, 30 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted in Hotaru & Ishibashi-no-sato Park. In recent years, Yame City has established a cultural exchange with the U.S., including a middle school student exchange program and a conference for citizens from Fukuoka Prefecture, Seattle, and Takoma. In addition, U.S. Senator Daniel Ken Inouye's ancestors were from Yokoyama village in Yame. Until his death in 2012, he aided in the promotion and advocacy of Japanese-Americans. The planting symbolized Japan-U.S. friendship as well as Senator Inouye's achievements. 

Kagoshima Prefecture

Kagoshima City, Agricultural Park

On November 1, 1990, Kagoshima City and Miami, FL entered a Sister Cities Pact, building a tangible network of friends through youth exchange programs and strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship. To commemorate the Miami-Kagoshima Sister Cities Pact Anniversary, 20 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted at the Agricultural Park in Kagoshima City in November 2015.

Kumamoto Prefecture

Aso City, Asobou-no-sato Kugino

For 25 years, Minami-Aso Village has presented the International Country Music Festival's "Country Gold" in the outdoor stage "Aspector," which was made by the Kumamoto Prefecture. In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of this cultural relationship between the U.S. and Japan, 20 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted in Asobou-no-sato Kugino in October 2015.

Nagasaki Prefecture

Nagasaki City

In the history of U.S.-Japan relations, the city of Nagasaki needs no introduction. 68 years after the tragic bombing of Nagasaki during World War II, the Nagasaki planting ceremony was a truly symbolic event. The U.S. Embassy, its Fukuoka consulate, and the Bridging Foundation were directly involved in this event, which was a beautiful tribute to the enduring peace between the U.S. and Japan that has flourished from such grim beginnings. The event was officiated by the Honorable Tomihisa Taue, Nagasaki's mayor and U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy was an honored guest and participant in the planting of the trees.

Saikai City, Yokoseura Park

Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu is a beautiful historical town. Through the Meiji period, much of its economy was based in fishing in whaling, and now, the city's economy comes from agriculture and farming. The city also hosts a U.S. naval base, and in honor of our continued friendly relations, a tree planting ceremony was held at Yokoseura Park on April 26, 2013 for 40 trees. Saikai Mayor Tanaka presided over the ceremony with Consul for Public Affairs Mike Chadwick representing the U.S. government and presenting the trees, and Commanding Officer Charles Rock of the CFAS U.S. Navy base and other local dignitaries in attendance. Saikai is a host city for the base and its facilities, and CFAS was instrumental in assisting the cities in arranging the plantings. The dogwoods, planted in beautiful public parks in both cities, will stand for many years as enduring reminders to all local residents and visitors of the strength and durability of the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. 

Sasebo City, Sasebo City Park

Sasebo City is located in Nagasaki Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. The city is known for its famous resort, the Huis Ten Bosch, its proximity to the Kujuku Islands National Sea Park, and its long and amicable relationship with the neighboring U.S. naval base. On April 26, 2013, 30 trees  were planted at the Sasebo City Park. The event was officiated by Sasebo's Mayor Tomonaga, and among the guests were the Consul for Public Affairs Mike Chadwick, representing the U.S. government and presenting the trees, and Commanding Officer Charles Rock of the CFAS U.S. Navy base, along with many other local dignitaries.  Sasebo is the host city for the base and its facilities, and CFAS was instrumental in assisting the city in arranging its plantings. The dogwoods are planted in the beautiful public park as an enduring reminder to all local residents and visitors of the strength and durability of the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

Oita Prefecture

Oita City, Sano Botanical Garden

In November 2015, 20 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted in Sano Botanical Garden in Oita City. Sano Botanical Garden is a barrier-free park, allowing free public access throughout the year. The planting commemorated the 25th Anniversary celebration of Oita City's sister relationship with Austin, TX. 

Usa City, Air-raid Shelter Historical Park

On March 18, 2015, 30 dogwood trees were planted in the tree planting ceremony. An article on the ceremony appeared here in the Oita Godo Newspaper and in this video clip by Usa City Internet Broadcasting Channel).  

Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefectural Park, Nago City, Nago Central Park, Park Resource Research Center

In recent years, Okinawa Prefecture has given Taiwan Cherry trees to the U.S. Government as a symbol of friendship. To reciprocate this thoughtful gift, 150 Friendship Blossoms dogwood trees were planted in Okinawa Prefecture in March 2015. The mutual gifting symbolizes the respect and genuine friendship between Okinawa and the U.S.