Kishida Donates 250 Cherry Blossom Trees to the U.S.... Why It’s the First Time in 100 Years

Meaning of Gift Celebrating 250th Anniversary of Independence Declaration
3,000 Trees Planted Near White House in 1912

During his visit to the United States, Prime Minister Kishida will donate 250 cherry trees to the U.S. as a gift celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 at a White House state visit welcome ceremony. This marks over 100 years since Japan planted 3,000 cherry trees in the U.S. during the presidency of William Howard Taft in 1912.

Every year in March and April, crowds gather to see the cherry blossoms around the Jefferson Memorial in Washington.
[Photo by AP·Yonhap News]

On the 10th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that Prime Minister Kishida, during his visit to the U.S., expressed his intention to donate 250 cherry trees at the White House welcome ceremony. The 250 cherry trees to be donated this time will replace 140 cherry trees cut down due to repair work on the breakwater of the artificial lake Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial, a famous cherry blossom spot in Washington.

Cherry Tree Donation Cited as a Successful Public Diplomacy Case

Every year in March and April, crowds gather for cherry blossom viewing around the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, where the cherry trees were donated by the mayor of Tokyo in 1912. It is known that Helen Taft, the First Lady during President William Howard Taft’s administration?when the U.S. and Japan recognized each other’s colonial rule over the Philippines and the Korean Peninsula under the "Katsura-Taft Agreement"?received the trees as a gift from Japan and planted them. Although the relationship between the two countries at the time had colonialist aspects, the donation is now regarded as a successful example of public diplomacy symbolizing the U.S.-Japan alliance.

This donation, made to commemorate Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the United States, celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the United States in 2026.
[Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News]

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, along with Prime Minister Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida, admired the cherry trees planted last year by Mrs. Kishida as a symbol of friendship between the two countries at the White House. New cherry trees are also expected to be planted near the Martin Luther King Memorial.

President Biden expressed gratitude for the cherry tree donation symbolizing the friendship between the two countries, saying, "Every spring, thanks to the 3,000 cherry trees gifted by Japan over 100 years ago, cherry blossoms bloom throughout Washington." Prime Minister Kishida noted that the Somei Yoshino cherry tree variety has survived in Washington for over 100 years, far exceeding its original lifespan of 60 years, and said, "Just as local residents have cherished and protected the cherry trees, the U.S.-Japan relationship has been supported by people who love each other." On the same day, President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida held a U.S.-Japan summit, and the following day they will hold a trilateral summit with the Philippines.