"Washington, D.C. Receives 250 New Cherry Trees from Japan for Spring Bloom"

Japan is gifting the United States 250 new cherry trees to replace the hundreds set to be removed this summer in Washington, D.C., as part of a construction project around the Tidal Basin. The gift, announced by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, symbolizes the U.S.'s 250th anniversary in 2026. The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., celebrates the blooms of the cherry trees and the arrival of spring, with over 1.5 million attendees each year. The removal of the trees is necessary for repairs to the deteriorated seawall around the Tidal Basin, with one beloved tree, "Stumpy," set to be removed, sparking tributes and social media posts.