04/12/20 

100 Cherry trees are to be planted in Heath Park as part of The Sakura Cherry Tree Project, which will see thousands of sakura trees planted across the UK. 

In addition to the trees in Heath Park, trees will also be planted at five Cardiff schools: Fitzalan High School, Kitchener Primary School, St Monica's CW Primary School, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, and Whitchurch High School. 

The Welsh launch of the project,which is a part of the Japan-UK Season of Culture, washeld today (December 4^th) at St Fagan's Museum of Natural History. 

Speaking ahead of the launch, The Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Rod McKerlich, said: "It's a real honour for Cardiff to be chosen to host so many of these beautiful cherry trees which I understand will blossom well into the 22^ndcentury as a long lasting symbol of the mutual understanding between our two nations." 

Honorary Consul for Japan, Keith Dunn OBE, said: "These trees are a strong symbol of our friendship that can be supported and enjoyed by future generations and we hope these new plantings will be embraced by our communities for the future. 

"Our mission is to create a legacy for the future generations and to bring a sign of the relationship between the UK and Japan to our communities. As we enjoy the cherry blossom each spring, they will remind us of a new season of potential collaborations and growing friendships." 

To allow the trees the best chance of survival, planting will take place early in the 2021 tree planting season.

TheSakura Cherry Tree Projectis represented in Japan by the Japan British Society, whose main role is to raise funds for the project, and in the UK by a special committee convened by theJapan Matsuri Company (an organisation jointly managed by the Japanese Association, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK, the Japan Society Londonand the Nippon Club).