A scheme proposed by the Japan Britain Society aims to plant 1,000 cherry blossom trees across parks in Britain, the Japan Times reports. The fundraising project initially aims to raise funds to grow, plant and maintain between 50 and 60 of these iconic trees in four major London parks next autumn.
Locations are being sourced between the organisers and The Royal Parks charity ahead of the first round of planting, with the remaining trees reportedly being planted at a later date.
Sandy K. Sano, creator of the project and chairman of the Japanese Association says: “We want to honour the Japanese and British predecessors who built cultural links between our countries, and express the determination of the Japanese who have taken root here (in Britain) to continue those links even if Britain finds itself in difficulty after Brexit,”
The tree planting is due to coincide with the UK Season of Culture, which will take place in Japan between 2019 and 2020. A government announcement of the season stated that the Prime Minister has: “warmly welcomed the proposal by the Japan-Britain Society to plant cherry blossom trees in the UK as a symbol of the friendship between Japan and the UK.”
