Renewed Japan-U.S. Friendship Planted in Memorial Park

The centennial anniversary of Japan's gift of cherry blossom trees to the United States was celebrated and the relationship between Japan and Cupertino was renewed as dignitaries planted a young cherry blossom tree on Saturday at Memorial Park.

In 1983, Cupertino's sister city Toyokawa Japan, gifted 200 trees to the park where many survive and blossom today. Saturday's ceremony—attended by Japanese Consul General in San Francisco, Hiroshi Inomata—commemorated those trees and the bond between the two countries.

Digging in and getting their hands dirty for the ceremony were Cupertino Mayor Mark Santoro, Cupertino Toyokawa sister cities commission president Asif Kausar, and Inomata.

Included in this year's festivities were cultural displays and demonstrations such as Bonsai, ikebana (flower arranging) and shodo (calligraphy,) food and beverage booths with traditional Japanese fare, and craft booths.

Established in 1978 the Toyokawa Sister City program coordinates an annual student exchange for middle school students during which Cupertino students travel to Japan in the summer, and the Japanese students come to Cupertino in the fall. Those who have participate in the exchange program—both the student exchange and the adult exchange—say they develop lasting bonds with their Japanese "families."