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There is a public park called Shiyaku-Sho-Mae Koen (市役所前公園), located right across the street from Yokosuka City Hall.  At the side of the large water fountain is a small stone monument, mounted with a metal plaque which says: "Friendship Blossoms, 2014 -- A gift from the people of the United States of America to the people of Japan".  A tree stands above the monument -- an American Flowering Dogwood -- which was one of a couple dozen saplings planted in areas around the front of Yokosuka City Hall in 2014.  There is an interesting backstory to these trees.  In 1912, Japan made a gift to the people of the United States of 3,000 cherry trees, which were planted in Washington DC.  To commemorate the centennial of Japan’s gift, the U.S. Department of State launched the "Friendship Blossoms-Dogwood Tree Initiative" in 2012, with a gift of 3,000 American dogwood trees from the people of the U.S. to the people of Japan.   Thereafter with the assistance of many corporate, government, and community partners in the U.S. and Japan, 104 organizations applied to receive dogwood trees, resulting in 3,061 trees planted at 84 sites throughout Japan, encompassing 30 prefectures.  In December 2014, Yokosuka City received 25 of the Dogwood trees, which were planted in Shiyaku-Sho-Mae Park and along both sides of Highway 16 in front of City Hall.  (See links below for more information.)  Of interest, the dogwood tree is famous in the Southern region of the U.S. for its flowering beauty and cool shade.  The blossom is a four-pointed white flower tinged with red at each edge.  In the fall, the leaves turn brilliant shades of scarlet to reddish purple and bright red fruit appears in small clusters.  The fruit is not very tasty for humans but is usually devoured by birds.  Dogwood bark has long been considered to have medicinal properties as a fever reducer.  The wood of the dogwood tree is very hard and durable and has been used to make various items including tool handles and golf clubs.  We hope you will be able to go out and see these unique trees, located just a short walking distance from the U.S. Navy Base.  Written by Goodfield

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LINKS:

City Hall Park

https://us.iino.cc/blog/blog.html?eid=00180

Friendship Blossoms Initiative

https://www.bridgingfoundation.org/friendship-blossoms

Yokosuka Dogwood Planting Ceremony, December 2014

https://deepyokosuka.blogspot.com/search?q=dogwood