Current location:entertainment >>
VOX POPULI: Kishida’s gift of cherry seedlings to the U.S. raises uneasy feeling
entertainment5274People 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.“Stellar Spectrum news portal”。http://ecuador.adventistmissionjapan.org/news-88f399904.html
Related articles
The Met Gala's flowery theme went in all directions
entertainmentNEW YORK (AP) — Who won the Met Gala? Nature and its many blooms, along with some far-flung princess ...
Read moreGLOBALink
entertainmentContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
Read moreClasses Resume in Luding County and Neighboring Areas After Earthquake
entertainmentContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
Read more
Popular articles
- FTX customers to get money back after catastrophic crypto collapse
- Fruit Planting Helps Improve Environment and Villagers' Income in SW China's Chongqing
- China's Pre
- Mainland a Favorable Destination for Students from HK, Macao, Taiwan
- Pregnant Lala Kent goes make
- World Robot Conference 2022 Held in Beijing
Latest articles
The 10 worst cities to drive in the US are revealed
County in China's Shaanxi Transforms Ecological Resources to Green Economy
Beijing's Chaoyang District Builds Cultural Service System with Broader Coverage
County in China's Shaanxi Transforms Ecological Resources to Green Economy
Shakib returns to Bangladesh squad for final two T20 matches against Zimbabwe
China Commemorates War Against Japanese Aggression
LINKS
- World reaction to the terror attack in Moscow
- China, Indonesia set to deepen ties
- China firmly opposes its citizens being harassed when visiting the U.S.: spokesperson
- KMT's Ma visiting mainland
- China, France pledge closer ties
- Hong Kong defends new security law
- Xi meets Dutch PM
- Nations push for safe development of nuclear energy
- Beijing slams Washington for spreading false info
- Nations to enhance BRI ties