Keele University has been awarded a prestigious Certificate of Commendation by the Ambassador of Japan for its collection of flowering cherry trees, which will soon be in full bloom and that is free to visit. 

Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan’s Ambassador to the UK, travelled to the University to see the collection – one of the largest in the UK and Europe – first hand, and to personally hand out the special award. Only nine Ambassador’s Commendations have been awarded since 2021, and Keele’s award is the first one to be given out by the Ambassador this year. 

And after being given a tour of Keele’s collection, which boasts more than 300 trees and around 230 different varieties, including some that can’t be found in Japan, Ambassador Suzuki said: “I am delighted to be here to award Japanese Ambassador’s Commendation to Keele University’s Collection of Flowering Cherries, one of a few National Plant Collections dedicated to cherry trees. 

“It is remarkable that this collection has been built over decades by Keele’s experts through their continuous efforts to gather Sakura cherry trees from Japan. Now it preserves even some species that have become extinct in Japan. 

“It was thanks to the participation of two Keele students in the Japanese Speech Contest in 2023 that the Embassy was able to fully recognize this extraordinary Collection. It is great to know that Japanese study in Keele connected the University and the Japanese Embassy. 

“I would like to express my deep appreciation to everyone who has contributed to building this exceptional Collection. I am convinced that it will continue to flourish in the years to come as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Japan and the UK.” 

The Ambassador's visit is the third time in two years that officials from the Embassy of Japan in the UK have visited the University to see its collection, with representatives planting new trees on both previous visits and meeting staff and students. The commendation ceremony was also attended by Paul Madden, the former British Ambassador to Japan. 

The springtime arrival of cherry blossom is a significant event in Japan, with many festivals held and daily coverage given to them on national news. Keele has been planted with flowering cherries since the first ornamental grounds were laid out in the 1940s. Since then, many flowering cherries have been added around the 600-acre campus, and springtime at Keele is now synonymous with cherry blossom. 

Dave Emley, a former geology technician at Keele and one of the curators of the University’s cherry tree collection, said: “We are very proud of the growing connection between Japan and Keele, and for the collection to be recognised with the Ambassador’s Commendation, is a huge honour. 

“This is the third time we’ve hosted officials from the Embassy at the University in the last two years and we’ve also had academics visit from Japan who collected research materials from the trees to take back home with them.  

“The trees are coming into bloom now and the spectacle usually lasts through April and into May. We get visitors coming to Keele from all over the UK and even Europe to see the trees, and it’s always a fantastic feeling to see people enjoying them. It gives people a taste of Japan in spring here in Staffordshire.” 

Keele’s collection of cherry trees is spread across its campus, with the aptly named Cherry Tree Walk, which is next to the University’s Chapel, and the Memorial Garden, providing two of the most picture-perfect spots for visitors.

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