City of Markham now home to 120 Japanese Sakura trees

– City receives generous donation of 40 cherry blossom trees creating a new Spring attraction –

MARKHAM, ON – June 5, 2023 – On June 3, the City of Markham commemorated the 95^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Canada with an official tree planting of 40 Sakura trees. The trees were generously gifted by Ms. Chako Setoyama and Mr. James Matsumoto, Sakura Project Committee in Toronto, and Mr. Masatoshi Nozaki, Ms. Kyoko Murakami and Mr. Kentoku Moriyama, Sakura Project Committee in Japan. The occasion was also marked with the unveiling of a ceremonial plaque.

“For the City of Markham, these Sakura cherry blossom trees represent many things including a long friendship and partnership with Japan that goes back to more than 30 years ago when the first Japanese companies saw the outstanding potential in Markham and began investing in our wonderful city,” says Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “These 40 trees will be planted in the heart of Unionville at Toogood Pond –where visitors, not just from Markham, but from the GTA and beyond, will be able to appreciate and enjoy their beauty.”

“I am delighted that the City of Markham is the recipient of 40 Sakura trees, and that they will be planted in such a picturesque location,” says Consul-General Sasayama. “This donation, kindly given by the Sakura Project Committee in Toronto, which is led by Ms. Chako Setoyama and Mr. James Matsumoto, is in addition to 3,000 Sakura trees planted in various locations around southern Ontario in the early 2000s, as well as 2,000 such trees donated to High Park from the citizens of Tokyo in 1959. 2023 marks the 95th anniversary of Japan-Canada relations, and this gift of Sakura is an excellent symbol of the deep and lasting friendship that Markham enjoys with Japan.”

Sakura is an important, symbolic flower in Japan and is treasured in Japanese culture. In Ontario, Sakura typically blooms delicate pink or white flowers in late April or early May, lasting anywhere from four to 10 days depending on weather conditions.

This donation is the second of its kind for Markham. In 2018, 80 trees were donated to the City and planted at three sites – Markham Civic Centre, Rougeside Promenade and Milne Dam Park. The trees not only contribute to the natural beauty of Markham, but also add to the City's tree canopy, providing new habitat for wildlife and creating new attractions for residents and tourists to visit during the Spring.

Japan is Markham's second largest source of foreign direct investment. The City of Markham is home to 20 Japanese businesses, employing approximately 3,400 people. These companies include Honda Canada, Shiseido Canada Inc., Weins Canada and Toshiba of Canada Ltd.

Left to right: Mr. James Matsumoto, Advisor, Sakura Project Committee in Toronto; Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti; Ms. Chako Setoyama, Chair, Sakura Project Committee in Toronto; Mr. Sasayama Takuya, Consul-General of Japan in Toronto.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
At mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham: 
Kisha Powell, Media Relations & Communications Specialist at kpowell@markham.ca.

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 353,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. 

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