A 100-Year Legacy in Bloom: 250 Cherry Blossom Trees Planted in Philadelphia to Commemorate America's 250th Anniversary & 1926 Gift from Japan

The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia Together with Philadelphia Insurance Companies Completed the Three-Year Project

Philadelphia Insurance Companies' Grant Funded the PHLY250Sakura Initiative and Honored a 100-Year-Old Gift from the Government of Japan

PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) together with Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) completed the PHLY250Sakura cherry blossom tree planting initiative, which was a pledge by both organizations to plant 250 cherry blossom trees in Philadelphia by 2026 to commemorate America's semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary.

The project, which began in 2024, was funded by a $135,000 grant from PHLY to the Japan America Society.

"In 1926, the Government of Japan gifted 1,600 flowering trees, including cherry blossom trees, to the City of Philadelphia in honor of the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of American independence", said Kazumi Teune, Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. "In 1998, Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia continued this legacy and began a ten-year, 1,000-tree planting campaign which are the trees seen across the city. An additional 250 trees have been planted to celebrate the 250^th Anniversary of America, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partnership with Philadelphia Insurance Companies for spearheading this campaign. These beautiful trees will blossom for decades and truly honor the relationship between the United States and Japan."

The final trees were planted by PHLY employees during an event in Fairmount Park celebrating the completion of the project. Beautiful cherry blossoms – also known as Sakura – flanked the event that took place steps from the site of a 1926 photo commemorating the original gift from the government of Japan. That photo was recreated with representatives from PHLY, the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Consul General of Japan in New York, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (PHOTOS AVAILABLE).

"PHLY250Sakura represents a true public-private-non-profit partnership, delivering real results today and opening the door to future opportunities. We are driven to continue working with our partners on this project and others, to support the cultural and business connection between Japan, the city of Philadelphia, state of Pennsylvania, and the United States," said John Glomb, president and chief executive officer of Philadelphia Insurance Companies. "Our commitment bridges a historic gift from 100 years ago with the celebration of America's 250th anniversary. We are proud to mark the completion of this initiative, which delivers environmental, social, and cultural benefits that will be felt across Philadelphia for generations."

Philadelphia Insurance Companies is a member of the Tokio Marine Group – Japan's oldest insurance company and one of the largest insurance groups in the world. PHLY employees spent  200 hours volunteering to plant the trees with support from JASGP and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department.

Below is a list of trees planted as part of this initiative:

West Fairmount Park:

• Centennial Lake Cherry Tree Allée (90)
• Centennial Arboretum Cherry Tree Allée (85)
• Schuylkill River Trail: (25)
  

Schools:

• Central High School: (25) 
• Blankenburg Elementary School: (25) 

For photos and a map of planting locations, please contact: [email protected]

For more information including videos and photos, please visit:
https://www.phly.com/phly250sakura
https://japanphilly.org/phly250sakura

About Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY)

For over 60 years, Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) has delivered stability and peace of mind through enduring partnerships with our customers, brokers, and independent agents nationwide. We provide commercial property/casualty and professional liability coverages, comprehensive risk management, and expert claims handling across 120+ specialized industries.  

As a proud member of Tokio Marine Group, one of the largest insurance groups in the world, PHLY's exceptional financial strength is independently validated through the highest ratings from the AM Best Company ["A++" (Superior)] and Standard & Poor's ["A+"] since 2011. As one of the leading insurers of non-profit and social/human services organizations, PHLY and its employees (TEAMPHLY) believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work. TEAMPHLY's commitment to building thriving communities and an engaged and inclusive workforce has distinguished PHLY nationally as a member of Ward's Top 50 since 2001, Business Insurance's Best Places to Work in Insurance since 2010 and ranked as one of America's Best Midsize Employers by Forbes.  

For more information, please visit www.PHLY.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.   

About the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia

JASGP is a private nonprofit organization that has inspired mutual curiosity, understanding, and collaboration between Japan and Philadelphia for more than 30 years through art, business, and culture. We operate: Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center hosting over 40,000 visitors annually; produce the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival with over 30,000 attendees; present a US-Japan Business and Public Policy Series; and provide Japanese arts, business, and cultural educational programming for all ages.

PRESS CONTACT

Amanda Wozniak
609.230.2643
[email protected]

SOURCE Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia