Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the 76th National Tree Planting Festival in Ehime Prefecture on Sunday [1].
The visit underscores the imperial couple's commitment to environmental restoration and national recovery. By engaging with local communities and survivors of natural disasters, the monarchy reinforces its role as a symbol of unity and resilience during long-term rebuilding efforts.
The royal couple visited the Matsuyama City General Sports Park for the ceremony [2]. During the event, the Emperor planted cedar, camphor, and sawtooth oak trees [3]. The Empress planted Japanese cypress, citrus tachibana, and evergreen flowering azaleas [3]. Together, they also sowed seeds for black pine, and Japanese maple [3].
This visit was part of a two-day trip that began on May 16 [4]. Beyond the ceremonial planting, the couple used the occasion to interact with individuals affected by the 2018 West Japan floods [5].
"I express my respect to everyone across the country who is working hard on greening activities in their respective regions, and I hope that such activities will continue to be supported by many people and develop further," the Emperor said [6].
Empress Masako also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to connect with the local community. "I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have a direct dialogue with the disaster victims," she said [7].
The festival serves as a national focal point for promoting forestry and the expansion of green spaces across Japan [1]. The choice of trees for the ceremony was specifically tailored to the ecology and heritage of Ehime Prefecture [3].
“The imperial couple visited Ehime Prefecture to plant native trees and meet with survivors of the 2018 West Japan floods.”
The 76th National Tree Planting Festival blends environmental policy with social diplomacy. By linking the act of reforestation with a visit to 2018 flood survivors, the imperial couple connects ecological sustainability with disaster recovery. This emphasizes a holistic approach to national resilience, where nature is viewed both as a victim of climate instability and as a primary tool for healing and protection against future catastrophes.
