"Japan Donates 250 Cherry Trees to Replace Lost Tidal Basin Blossoms in D.C."
Japan is gifting the United States 250 new cherry trees to replace those being removed during construction around Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin. The gift, announced by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to the White House, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and symbolizes the enduring friendship between the two countries. The cherry trees, originally gifted in 1912, have become a symbol of the Japan-U.S. alliance. The replacement reflects the strong geopolitical alliance between President Joe Biden and Kishida as they discuss Pacific security, and the trees draw over 1 million visitors to Washington each spring.