
A cherry tree planted by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, back right, and the one by Abe’s father, former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe, are seen at the Japanese garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ botanical garden on April 24.
20:25 JST, April 30, 2023
MOSCOW (Jiji Press) — Sunday will mark a decade since the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe planted a cherry tree sapling in Moscow with the hope of developing Japan-Russia ties, which now seems to be further out of reach.
The cherry tree was planted at the Japanese garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ botanical garden by Abe on April 30, 2013, during his official visit to Russia.
It was as tall as an adult at the time and is now more than double in height.
In contrast to the growth of the cherry tree, relations between Tokyo and Moscow have ceased to progress and are instead deteriorating due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022.
According to a garden official, the recent warm weather in Moscow resulted in a cherry tree planted at the same garden in 1986 by Abe’s father, former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe, reaching full bloom earlier than usual on April 22.
The younger Abe’s cherry tree, located across the walking path from it, started to bloom the following day. The blossoms lasted five days.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan to Offer U.S. Proposals for Cooperation on Rare Earths, Semiconductors; Potential Measures Could Help Counter China, Correct Trade Deficit
-
Japan Defense Ministry Team to Discuss Drones, AI in Combat; Will Learn From Ukraine War, International Cooperation
-
Japan Govt to Create Guidelines for Data Leak Prevention at Research Institutes; AI R&D, Risk Management to Be Balanced
-
U.S. Senator and Ex-Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty: Economic Security, National Security Are Tied
-
Govt Sets 2025 Intellectual Property Strategy; Aims to Maximize Japan’s Capital Such as Anime, Manga, Games
JN ACCESS RANKING
-
Japanese Researchers Develop ‘Transparent Paper’ as Alternative to Plastics; New Material Is Biodegradable, Can Be Produced with Low Carbon Emissions
-
Average Retail Rice Price Up for Second Consecutive Week; More Than Double Same Period Last Year
-
Japan’s Cooperation in Alaska LNG Development Project Emerges in Japan-U.S. Tariff Negotiations; But Industry Concerns Exist
-
Vietnam, Thailand Aim to Grow Rice Exports to Japan
-
Japan’s Maglev Shinkansen’s Partially Completed Station Unveiled; Station Will Be Only Underground Stop Between Shinagawa, Nagoya