Emperor and Empress Remotely Attend the 71st National Tree-Planting Festival in Ota City, Shimane Prefecture



 Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress attended the 71st National Tree-Planting Festival (sponsored by the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization and Shimane Prefecture), which was held mainly in the northern field of Mount Sanbe, a national park in Sanbe Town, Ota City on the 30th. Their Majesties attended the event online from Akasaka Imperial Palace in Moto-Akasaka, Tokyo due to the coronavirus disaster.

 

Large monitors were installed at the ceremony site and at the Akasaka Imperial　Palace. His Majesty said, "I hope that the 'green cycle' of planting, growing, using, and planting again will be widely realized," and went on to cut the 17-meter-long Japanese black pine, which Emperor Showa planted at the previous Shimane Convention, with a saw.

 This was followed by the "hand-planting" of cedar and rhododendron by Their Majesties, and the "hand-mowing" of enoki and walnut trees. 

His Majesty said, "I regret that I will not be able to visit Shimane Prefecture and meet with you in person," and praised those involved in the preparations. His Majesty also thanked the elementary school students from Ota City who explained about the hand-planted seedlings on the stage at the Sanbe venue, saying, "Thank you very much for your careful explanation, and I hope you will keep the spirit of protecting and growing greenery.

The National Tree-Planting Festival was started in 1950 with the aim of restoring forests devastated by WWII, and is held every spring as a central event of the National Land Afforestation Movement. Last year's event was postponed due to the Corona disaster, and this year's event was held remotely. Their Majesties have been using the Internet for their activities since last fall, but this is the first time for His Majesty the Emperor to deliver remarks at a ceremony in Japan.


For the full text of the Emperor's words, see here.

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