In 1926, the government of Japan gifted 1,600 flowering trees, including cherry blossoms, to the City of Philadelphia in honor of the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of American independence.
To honor this 100-year-old gift and help celebrate the 250th anniversary of America in 2026, PHLY pledged a $135,000 grant to the Japan America Society for the planting of 250 new cherry blossom trees.
“It’s only fitting that an additional 250 trees [were] planted to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America,” said Kazumi Teune, Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. “These beautiful trees will blossom for decades and truly honor the relationship between the United States and Japan.”
As a proud member of the Tokio Marine Group, a global insurance company based in Japan, PHLY has sponsored the JASGP’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival by providing funding and volunteers for many years. Planting additional trees is a natural continuation of our efforts to uplift both our local community and Japanese culture.
“Our commitment bridges a historic gift from 100 years ago with the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. We are proud to mark the completion of this initiative, which delivers environmental, social, and cultural benefits that will be felt across Philadelphia for generations," said John Glomb, president and chief executive officer of Philadelphia Insurance Companies. “PHLY250Sakura represents a true public-private-non-profit partnership, delivering real results today and opening the door to future opportunities. We are driven to continue working with our partners on this project and others, to support the cultural and business connection between Japan, the city of Philadelphia, state of Pennsylvania, and the United States."
The final trees were planted by PHLY employees during an event in Fairmount Park celebrating the completion of the project.
Beautiful cherry blossoms – or sakura – flanked the event that took place steps from the site of a 1926 photo commemorating the original gift from the government of Japan. That photo was recreated with representatives from PHLY, the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Consul General of Japan in New York, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
More than 60 PHLY employees personally planted these trees alongside JASGP garden keepers and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department starting in 2024 and finishing in April 2026. The trees can be found throughout Fairmount Park and near Blankenburg Elementary School in the city.
"PHLY has a true commitment to the community," said John Sigmund, Director of Partnerships & Sponsorships for the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
In Japan, sakura represent the start of spring and renewal. We hope these flowers can continue to be a symbol of hope for the next 100 years.
