The Imperial Couple Performs the Tree Planting Ceremony in virtual mode

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako “attended” the National Tree Planting Ceremony that took place in Shimane Prefecture this Sunday, in virtual mode. His first virtual appearance at a large-scale event outside of Tokyo due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Imperial Couple took part in this event, which had been postponed for a year, from the Akasaka Imperial Residence in Tokyo, watching the ceremony through a large screen.

“I hope that the ‘green cycle’ of planting, growing, using, and planting again becomes a more widespread practice,” Emperor Naruhito commented during the live broadcast.

Next, the Imperial Couple each planted two different types of seeds chosen from Shimane Prefecture, including a cedar tree and a mountain cherry tree, in special boxes. These will be sent back to Shimane Prefecture to be transplanted.

The National Tree Festival is one of four annual events that the Emperor traditionally attends, along with the National Sports Festival, the National Culture Festival and the National Valuable Sea Festival. All were postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. coronavirus, this festival being the first to be held in virtual mode.