Arab News Japan

TOKYO: US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy planted and dedicated a sugar maple tree in the garden of the Ambassador’s Residence in Tokyo on Wednesday to commemorate President Barack Obama’s tenure as president, his commitment to strengthening the US-Japan Alliance, and his historic 2016 visit to Hiroshima.

The tree-planting is part of a unique tradition at the residence to recognize extraordinary service to the US-Japan relationship. A commemorative plaque was also unveiled.

Ambassador Emanuel commented: “I am proud to dedicate this tree in honor of President Obama, and to have it join the other presidential trees in this garden that commemorate the contributions of US Presidents to the US-Japan partnership. It was my honor to serve as President Obama’s Chief of Staff, and it’s my honor to serve as President Biden’s ambassador to Japan.”

The plaque’s inscription reads: “Planted by Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and Ambassador Caroline Kennedy in honor of the visit of President Barack Obama to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial May 27, 2016, and his call for a peaceful future free of nuclear weapons.”

In a letter, Obama wrote: “This garden is a testament to the ironclad bond between the US and Japan – and to the visionary leaders who helped forge it. I hope this tree will serve as a continued reminder of all we can achieve when our countries work together.”

The US Ambassador’s residence in Tokyo has served 13 ambassadors since 1931 and over the years developed a unique tradition of honoring the contributions of senior US leaders to the US-Japan relationship through commemorative donations to the residence garden.