Japan Relief and RecoveryFeatured Post

Celebrating Friendship with Japan on International Friendship Day

July 30, 2018

Today is International Friendship Day!  Today we celebrate the long friendship between the United States and Japan. One of the oldest, most famous symbols of friendship between the nations dates to 1912, when Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki sent 3,000 cherry trees to Washington D.C. as a token of the friendship between the two nations.  Over 200 trees still line the water and paths of the city today, where the National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place each year.

Both nations offer a united front on combating global issues, including disaster relief and preparedness. The U.S. and Japan have offered support and assistance to each other through decades of formidable disasters.  When the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake rocked Japan, the U.S. offered immediate assistance with donations from throughout the country.  After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, both the Japan government and private citizens pledged millions of dollars within days to help with recovery.

Using generous donations from U.S. citizens, Peace Winds helped local fisherman repair damaged equipment and get back to their livelihoods.

The friendship between Japan and the United States is a great example how diplomacy, trust, and cooperation can withstand many hardships. One support system that encourages such strong bonds is the sister city program implemented by Dwight D Eisenhower in 1956.  Washington State has 35 cities collaborating with Japan sister cities.   Seattle, Washington and Kobe, Japan officially became sister cities in 1957, making them one of the oldest sister city relationships.  Each year representatives from Kobe visit and participate in the Seattle Torchlight parade.   Seattle representatives visit Kobe during the city’s May celebration.

Peace Winds meets with local Japan partners at a gathering in Seattle.

Today we celebrate the friendship between these two great nations.  We reflect how important strong relationships are to the nation’s well-being, and serve as a support system when tragedy strikes.   We are standing with the people of Japan as they recover from the July floods and massive heat wave. It is an honor to partner with our resilient friends.

READ MORE about Peace Winds’ response and partnership with Japan.

DONATE HERE to support victims of the Western Japan Floods.