USA/FILE: Times Square is pretty in pink as cherry blossoms bloom (on video screens)

Record ID: 595650

  • Title: USA/FILE: Times Square is pretty in pink as cherry blossoms bloom (on video screens)
  • Date: 2nd March 2012
  • Summary: WOMEN LOOKING
  • Embargoed: 17th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA7V725WNI8XAGBYUOI328ABE5H
  • Story Text: They are pink, pretty and brightened up a cloudy, gray day in Times Square on Thursday (March 1).
    Cherry blossoms were all on display on various video monitors around Times Square, including at the Nasdaq and at the Thomson Reuters headquarters.
    The cherry blossoms video displays were part of a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Japan's gift of cherry blossom trees to the United States.
    The celebration is also the start of a promotional tourism event.
    "This is a kick off event of Japan Week that is the promotion of Japan in terms of food, culture and tourism. And we have two main themes. One theme is, it's going to be a one year anniversary since the earthquake happened in Japan and we wanted to express our appreciation towards the support from American people. So as you can see on the screen, we have a logo which says 'Japan thank you'. And the other thing is this year is very special for us because exactly 100 years ago, the cherry blossom trees were sent from Japan to New York and Washington, DC. So we are going to celebrate centennial anniversary and we would like to deepen our mutual understanding and friendship towards the future and we would like more and more American people to come and visit Japan," said Yuki Tanaka, the Executive Director of the Japan National Tourism Organization.
    Women dressed in kimonos also greeted tourists.
    Tanaka said Japan's gift in 1912 helped spark a springtime tradition half way around the world.
    "The government of Tokyo and several other people try hard to send cherry blossoms to Washington, DC because the cherry blossoms are very, very beautiful. That's a symbol of spring in Japan. So there are people who wanted American people to see those cherry blossoms," she said.
    In Washington, DC the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the largest and most popular events of the year.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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