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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako Plant Cherry Tree Near Amsterdam
The imperial couple planted a tree at Cherry Blossom Park on June 19 and held talks with Dutch and Japanese participants before departing for Belgium on June 20.
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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako planted a cherry tree at a park near Amsterdam on Friday, June 19, 2026. The planting occurred at the Cherry Blossom Park monument for victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan. The imperial couple observed a moment of silence at the monument established by a local municipality.
Approximately 400 cherry trees have been planted around the Cherry Blossom Park area to symbolize exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands. After the planting, the emperor and empress held talks at a hotel in Amsterdam with Dutch people who have ties to Japan and with Japanese residents in the Netherlands.
They listened attentively to participants, including Inez Schelfhout, a Dutch clinical psychologist who has contributed to promoting Japan-Netherlands exchanges while providing trauma treatment for soldiers and their children affected by World War II, according to informed sources.
On Saturday, June 20, 2026, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are scheduled to leave the Netherlands for Belgium. They are scheduled to return to Japan on June 26, 2026.
