Tree Planting in Commemoration of Reconstruction

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has organised a wide range of approaches and events through the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 to support the reconstruction in the disaster-affected areas in Japan. The origins of the Tokyo 2020 Games are Olympic and Paralympic Games aimed at recovery and reconstruction.

The TMG held a tree planting in commemoration of reconstruction, and prefectural trees from four affected prefectures, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Kumamoto, were planted at the Ariake Arena.

We sincerely hope that these trees will serve as a symbol which connects the people of Tokyo to the areas affected by the 2011 and 2016 earthquakes.

Tree Planting in Commemoration of Reconstruction

(Sounds: Japanese, Subtitles: Japanese (4:00))

Overview

Date

Sunday 6 June 2021

Location

Ariake Arena

Organisers

Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture

Participants

Director, Iwate Prefecture Tokyo Office:
"It is my hope that the planting of this Japanese red pine at Ariake Arena will in some small way help the people gathering for the Tokyo 2020 Games to better appreciate the effort behind reconstruction in Iwate."

Director, Miyagi Prefecture Tokyo Office:
"In this tree planting in commemoration of reconstruction, trees from four prefectures affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Kumamoto Earthquake are being planted at Ariake Arena, a major venue of the Tokyo 2020 Games. I feel it is a very meaningful event of the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Recovery and Reconstruction Games."

Director, Fukushima Prefecture Tokyo Office:
"Fukushima Prefecture continues with the help of many kind, compassionate and dedicated people to advance reconstruction while providing updated information about the current situation and feeling deep appreciation for the support we have received."

Director, Kumamoto Prefecture Tokyo Office:
"I hope to see this camphor tree from Kumamoto and three trees from prefectures in the Tohoku Region grow steadily and sturdily along with the progress of reconstruction in each prefecture."

Deputy Director General, Bureau of Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Preparation:
"The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has worked in solidarity to advance preparations under the principle that these Games were originally conceived as the “Recovery and Reconstruction Games” to show the world Japan’s reconstruction and recovery from these disasters."

Prefectural Trees

  • Iwate Prefecture: Japanese Red Pine

Japanese red pines grow everywhere throughout Iwate. It’s one of the prefecture’s major trees. Highly valued, Iwate is proud of producing the highest quality and number of Japanese red pine in the nation.

  • Miyagi Prefecture: Zelkova

Miyagi selected Zelkova based on public opinion. Love by residents, the prefectural tree fills Miyagi with green.

  • Fukushima Prefecture: Zelkova

Fukushima asked the residents to recommend a tree that perfectly expresses their spirit of strength and courage. Zelkova was their overwhelming choice.

  • Kumamoto Prefecture: Camphor Tree

A favorite of residents, camphor trees have grown large at Kumamoto Castle, and at temples and shrines throughout Kumamoto.

* Photos taken on 6 June 2021.