Current location:travel >>
VOX POPULI: Kishida’s gift of cherry seedlings to the U.S. raises uneasy feeling
travel474People have gathered around
IntroductionIn 1912, the final year of the Meiji Era that began in 1868, it is said that vehement opposition was ...
In 1912, the final year of the Meiji Era that began in 1868, it is said that vehement opposition was raised when statesman Yukio “Gakudo” Ozaki (1858-1954) gifted the United States 3,000 ornamental cherry seedlings that had been grafted from cherry trees on the banks of the Arakawa river in Tokyo.
Ozaki’s deed was condemned as “an inexcusable outrage” because the sakura was “the national flower that must never be taken out of the country.”
Ozaki was only trying to show his gratitude to Washington for its labors during the post-Russo-Japanese War peace negotiations.
But many Japanese hadn’t been apprised of this background and “few felt indebted to the Americans,” according to Ozaki’s daughter, Yukika Soma (1912-2008).
In return, Washington sent a gift of dogwood trees to Japan. But they were taken down during World War II.
Those days are long past, and a Japan-U.S. summit took place on April 10 in the U.S. capital.
Among the gifts brought by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were 250 cherry seedlings, and I am sure nobody minds that today.
But seeing him grinning with delight, I cannot help feeling uneasy.
Japan’s national security is becoming increasingly integrated with that of the United States.
But the prime minister just would not explain to the public how dangerous that is, or what disadvantages Japan must expect from the bolstered alliance with the United States.
I think Japanese diplomacy has become quite unstable, like a baseball player with a “flamingo batting style.”
While the United States, Australia and European nations are proceeding with summit diplomacy with China, Japan keeps muddling along.
So long as Tokyo’s understanding of diplomacy is just making sure not to upset Washington, the nation remains at great risk.
The Arakawa riverbank today is graced by goshikizakura (five-color cherry trees) that came home from the United States after World War II. When I went to see them on April 11, the blossoms of the ukonzakura variety were starting to fall.
The pale green petals danced in the air and the young leaves fluttered in the spring breeze.
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 12
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Image news portal”。http://georgia.fightbigfood.org/article-21a699977.html
Related articles
Double European weightlifting champion Pielieshenko killed in Ukraine war
travelKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Two-time European weightlifting champion Oleksandr Pielieshenko died on the fro ...
【travel】
Read moreCopa 71 review: An enlightening documentary about REAL girl power, writes BRIAN VINER
travelRating:Copa 71 (PG, 90 mins)Rating:Irish Wish (93 mins)Even in my many years as a sports writer, I n ...
【travel】
Read moreLily Ebert, 100
travelA 100-year-old Auschwitz survivor has emotionally declared the Nazis 'did not win' as she celebrates ...
【travel】
Read more
Popular articles
- Larrañaga, Kruger, Dunphy and Nolan to be honored with Joe Lapchick Character Award
- Sydney Mardi Gras asks police not take part in Saturday's parade
- Masterful meals: Roast pheasant with a chestnut and cider cream sauce
- I was deepfaked in porn videos having sex with various men
- Nonprofit Chicago production house Invisible Institute wins 2 Pulitzer Prizes
- Copa 71 review: An enlightening documentary about REAL girl power, writes BRIAN VINER
Latest articles
Rihanna shows off her bold pink hair as she supports baby daddy A$AP Rocky at Puma pop
JENNI MURRAY: The Cass Report is a voice of reason on trans dogma that must not be ignored
My toddler saved my life after I had an epileptic seizure and fell in the bath
Masterful meals: Roast pheasant with a chestnut and cider cream sauce
Chinese cars gain popularity in Botswana
Lily Ebert, 100
LINKS
- China hits out at regional 'small circles'
- HK vibrant with celebratory atmosphere ahead of 25th anniversary of return to motherland
- Export of heating equipments to EU sees rapid growth in China's Foshan
- Xi congratulates Pellegrini on election as president of Slovakia
- Economic Watch: Improving logistics indexes reflect China's economic recovery
- Xi congratulates Pellegrini on election as president of Slovakia
- Hongjiannao National Nature Reserve in NW China's Shaanxi, sanctuary for relict gulls
- China urges U.S., Japan to stop forming anti
- China firmly opposes latest groundless accusations in Philippine media reports
- Sanya optimizes processes of nucleic acid testing amid latest COVID