Press Releases

The First Minister of Wales, The Rt. Hon Mark Drakeford, today (Friday, 4 December 2020) joined Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine, Japan’s Ambassador to the UK, for the first formal planting in Wales of the 1,000 cherry trees gifted to public parks and schools across Wales to celebrate the enduring friendship between Wales and Japan. The initiative will be a lasting legacy from the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2020 and is made possible by donations from Japanese businesses.

St Fagans National Museum of History, has received twenty cherry trees, some of the first trees to be planted in Wales.

The Sakura Cherry Trees will be distributed to over 65 schools and colleges all over Wales and to the cities of Cardiff, Bangor, St. Asaph, Swansea and Newport.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire and Conwy Castle in North Wales, twinned with Himeji Castle in Japan, will also receive trees.

The Welsh Launch of the project took place today with a planting ceremony at St Fagans attended by Mrs Morfudd Meredith, Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine, Mark Drakeford, MS, First Minister of Wales, the Joint Chairman of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project, Keisaku Sandy Sano and local schoolchildren from the Japanese Saturday School and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg, Plasmawr, Cardiff.

All of the varieties of cherry trees to be planted as part of this project are of Japanese origin. The vast majority will be of three varieties, ‘Beni-yutaka’, ‘Taihaku’, and ‘Somei-yoshino’, which have been chosen for their variation in colour, timing, and historical significance. For example, ‘Taihaku’ is a large, single white blossom variety, which became extinct in Japan but was reintroduced to its homeland by Britain’s Collingwood 'Cherry' Ingram in 1932.

Most of the 1,000 trees will be planted across Wales this autumn 2020, following the planting of the trees in St Fagans.  This permanent and lasting symbol of the enduring friendship between Wales and Japan has been entirely funded by Japanese businesses and individuals.

Yasumasa Nagamine, Japanese Ambassador to the UK said, “We hope that people all over Wales will join with us in embracing this chance to deepen mutual understanding, thus helping to create an enduring legacy.

“Yet the Sakura Cherry Tree Project will not just represent the lasting impact of the Japan-UK Season of Culture but will be a wider celebration of the cordial ties between Japan the UK and Wales.

“Just like our relationship, these trees will grow stronger as they mature and, each year when they blossom, I hope they bring joy to people across Wales and remind them of the deep friendship between our two nations and peoples.“

Keisaku Sandy Sano, Founder and Joint Chairman of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project Team said “The response we have had from all across Wales, has been amazing. It is testament to the strong relationship between our countries, and we hope the trees will be a lasting tribute to that. Many Japanese corporations have decided to, through the Japan-British Society, generously donate to this project. I am deeply grateful for all the efforts and support given by people and corporations both in Japan and UK to this project.”

Keith Dunn, OBE, Honorary Consul for Japan in Wales said:

“Wales and Japan have a strong relationship developed over more than 100 years. At the heart of the relationship is a desire for mutual understanding and to learn from each other’s way of life, culture and history.

“These trees are a strong symbol of our friendship that can be supported and enjoyed by future generations and I hope these plantings, particularly at this current time, will be embraced by our communities for the future.”

David Anderson, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru said:

“We are delighted to be involved in the Sakura Cherry Tree Project. Two years ago, we were proud to host, at National Museum Cardiff, KIZUNA: Japan | Wales | Design - the most significant exhibition on Japanese culture ever staged in the four nations outside London. Major Japanese museums have recently hosted a touring exhibition of works of art from our collections, and we plan further collaborations. 

“The Sakura Cherry Tree Project is a testament to the strong relationship between Wales and Japan, and a lasting symbol of the Japan-UK Season of Culture. The cherry trees will be enjoyed by visitors of St Fagans National Museum of History for years to come.”

-Ends-

The following locations in Wales have been selected for the planting of trees.

Schools and Colleges:  

Blackwood Primary School, Apollo Way, Blackwood, Wales NP12 1WA

Blaengarw Primary School, Station Street, Blaengarw, Bridgend, Wales CF32 8BA 

Brynbach Primary School, Merthyr Road, Tredegar, Wales NP22 3RX 

Cadoxton Primary School, Victoria Park Road, Barry, Wales CF63 2JS

Cardiff and Vale College City Centre Campus, Dumballs Rd, Cardiff, Wales

CF14 5NH

Coychurch Llangrallo Primary, Main Road, Coychurch, Nr. Bridgend, Wales

CF35 5HN 

Croesyceiliog Primary School, North Road, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, Wales

NP44 2LL 

Chepstow School, Welsh Street, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales NP16 5LR

Cwm Primary School, Canning Street, Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, Wales NP23 7RD

Cwmdâr Primary School, The Square, Cwmdare, Aberdare, R C T, Wales

CF44 8UA

Cwmfelinfach Primary School, King Street, Cwmfelinfach, Newport, Gwent, Wales NP11   7HL

Ewloe Green CP School, Old Mold Rd, Ewloe, Flintshire, Wales CH5 3AU

Fairoak Nursery School, Church Road, Newport, Wales NP19 7EJ

Fitzalan High School, Lawrenny Avenue, Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales CF11 8XB

Flint High School, Maes Hyfryd, Flint, Flintshire, Wales CH6 5LL

Kimberley Nursery School, Blaen-y-Pant Crescent, Newport, Wales NP20 5QB

Kitchener Primary School, Kitchener Road, Canton, Cardiff, Wales CF11 6HT

Llandrindod Wells CP School, Cefnllys Lane, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Wales LD1 5WA

Llanfoist Fawr Primary School, School Way, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales NP7 9LS

Llansannor & Llanharry CiW Primary School, Llansannor, Ystradowen, Cowbridge, Wales CF71 7SZ

Maesyrhandir CP School, Plantation Lane, Newtown, Powys, Wales SY16 1LH

Malpas Church in Wales Primary School, Yewberry Close, Newport, Wales

NP20 6WJ

Monmouth Comprehensive School, Old Dixton Road, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales NP25 3YT

Newbridge School, Bridge Street, Newbridge, Gwent, Wales NP11 5FR

Pantysgallog Primary School, Pantysgallog, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales CF48 2AD

Pencoedtre High School, Dyfan Road, Merthyr, Wales CF62 9YQ

Pontypridd High School, Albion Community Campus, Cilfynydd, Pontypridd, Rhondda, Wales CF37 4SF

Radnor Valley Primary School, School Lane, New Radnor, Powys, Wales LD8 2SS

Raglan CinW VC Primary School, Station Road, Raglan, Monmouthshire, Wales NP15 2EP

Ringland Primary School, Dunstable Road, Ringland, Newport, Gwent, Wales NP19 9LU

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Pontardawe Road, Clydach, Swansea, Wales SA6 5NX

St Mark's V A School, St Issell's Avenue, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, Wales SA61 1JX

St Monica's CW Primary School, Whitchurch Road, Cathays, Cardiff, Wales

CF14 3JL

Swiss Valley C.P. School, Heol Beili Glass, Swiss Valley, Llanelli, Wales SA14 8DS

Federation of Ysgol Bryn Clwyd and Ysgol Gellifor Ysgol Bryn Clwyd, Llandyrnog, Denbighshire LL16 4EY

Trallwn Primary School, Glan Y Wern Road, Llansamlet, Swansea, Wales SA7 9UJ

Tredegar Park Primary, Partridge Way, Duffryn, Newport, Gwent, Wales

NP10 8WP

Undy Primary School, Pennyfarthing Lane, Undy, Wales NP26 3LZ

United World College - Atlantic College, St Donat's Castle, Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales CF61 1WF

Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School, Howell Drive, Welshpool, Powys, Wales SY21 7AT

Y Bont Faen Primary School, Borough Close, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales CF71 7BN

Y Pant Comprehensive School, Cowbridge Road, Talbot Green, Wales CF72 8YQ

Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch, Betws Gwerful Goch, Corwen, Wales LL21 9PY

Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Heol Myrddin, Ffairfach, Carmarthenshire, Wales SA19 6PE

Ysgol Bro Elwern, Gwyddelwern, Corwen, Wales LL21 9DF

Ysgol Bro Hedd Wyn, Trawsfynydd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales

LL41 4SE

Ysgol Bro Lleu, Kings Road, Penygroes, Caernarfon, Wales LL54 6RL

Ysgol Bryn Elian, Windsor Drive, Old Colwyn, Conwy, Wales LL29 8HU

Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Mold Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales LL15 1EG

Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, Nebo Road, Llanrwst, Wales LL26 0SD

Ysgol Gwynedd, Prince of Wales Avenue, Flint, Flintshire, Wales CH6 5DL

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, Pentrebane Road, Fairwater, Cardiff, Wales

CF5 3PZ

Ysgol Gymraeg Brynsierfel Dwyfore, Llwynhendy, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales SA14 9HD

Ysgol Gymraeg Ffwrnes, Denham Avenue, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Ysgol Gymraeg Mornant, Ffordd Picton, Treffynnon, Sir y Fflint, Wales CH8 9JQ

Ysgol Gymuned y Fali, Spencer Road, Valley, Angelesey, Wales LL65 3EU

Ysgol Nantgwyn, Llewellyn Street, Penygraig, Tonypandy, RCT, Wales CF40 1HQ

Ysgol Pen Rhos Primary School, Copperworks Road, Llanelli, Wales SA15 2EW

Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn, Glasbury Road, Clase, Swansea, Wales SA6 7PA

Ysgol Porth, Y Felin Ffordd, Llanrwst, Conwy, Wales LL32 8FZ

Ysgol Rhyd-y-Grug, Aberfan, Ynysowen, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales CF48 4NT

Ysgol Wepre, Llwyni Drive, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, Wales CH5 4NE

Ysgol Y Moelwyn, Ffordd Heol Wynne, Blaneau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales

LL41 3DW

Whitchurch High School, Penlline Rd, Whitchurch, Wales CF14 2XJ

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Margaret Street, Ammanford, Wales SA18 2NW

Cities of Wales:

Heath Park, Cardiff     100

Eisteddfod Stone Circle, Bangor 65

Risca and Chepstow Roads 45

Cwmdonkin Park and Jersey Park 100

The Roe St Asaph 60

Other Welsh Locations:

National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire 100

St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff 20 

Conwy Castle, 20