Erbil, Iraq – 17 March 2021

Sardar Group and Toyota Iraq participated in the annual Fukushima Sakuramori Project (Cherry Blossom Tree) planting ceremony for the third year in a row. The event took place on Jiziry Street in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Kotaro Suzuki (Japanese Ambassador to Iraq), Ms. Yoshiko Nagayama (Japanese Consul General to Erbil), Mr. Sasan Awny (Minister of Municipality and Tourism), Mr. Hemn Qader (Deputy Governor of Erbil), Mr. Nabaz Abdulhammed (Head of Erbil Sub-District), Mr. Abdulwahid (President of Erbil Municipality), Mr. Rebeen (Director of Garden and Parks), Major General Mr. Ahmed Koyi, Mr. Zana Mala Khalid (Member of Parliament) and Mr. Sardar Al-Bebany (President of Toyota Iraq and Chariman of Sardar Group) other distinguished guest.

Since 2016, over 1200 Sakura Trees have been planted throughout the many regions of Iraq. The Sakura flower is the national flower of Japan and is often associated with youth and spring, similar to the locally significant Narcissus flower (Nargis flower) that blooms in the spring season in Iraq.

This year’s event was a special event as it marked the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Additionally, for the first time in Iraq, over 80 Sakura Trees were planted on one street which was also renamed from “Jiziry Street” to now “Sakura Street.”

This project is another step toward creating a stronger bond between the two countries, Iraq and Japan.